ISLAMABAD_ Time is running out for President General Pervez Musharraf to finalize a pact with ex-premier Benazir Bhutto that would keep the American-allied leader in office, Ms. Bhutto’s party warned today.

General Musharraf and Ms. Bhutto have been trying for months to secure an agreement that would allow her to return from exile and help General Musharraf get another term. But with the presidential election due in less than five weeks, the two sides have yet to resolve crucial differences on how they might share power.

“The ball is in the court of the government, and the time has almost completely run out,” said a spokesman for Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party, Farhatullah Babar. “The window is not completely shut, but no agreement has been reached.”

General Musharraf’s authority has eroded since March when he tried unsuccessfully to oust the Supreme Court’s top judge and a pact with Ms. Bhutto could help him overcome expected legal challenges to another run.

Ms. Bhutto wants authorities to drop corruption cases pending against her and insists General Musharraf must step down as army chief. However, General Musharraf’s political allies are resisting her demands and want General Musharraf to retain much of his sweeping powers.

On Monday, Nawaz Sharif, another two-time prime minister and a key opposition leader, was sent back to exile in Saudi Arabia shortly after he landed in Islamabad on a self-proclaimed mission to oust General Musharraf and restore civilian rule.

Mr. Babar said that Ms. Bhutto, who left Pakistan in 1999 over the corruption allegations, will return “irrespective of what the regime does” and will announce her arrival date tomorrow as planned.

Mr. Sharif flew in from London on Monday after seven years abroad, but was quickly expelled. Authorities rounded up more than 1,000 of his supporters to prevent them from giving the former premier a rousing welcome at Islamabad airport.

Provincial authorities started releasing the supporters in time for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins in Pakistan tomorrow, Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema said.

The releases were ordered by General Musharraf, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The president “wished every Pakistani to observe Ramadan with due solemnity and in true spirit of tolerance and forbearance,” APP quoted a presidential spokesman as saying.

The releases are unlikely to soften opposition calls for General Musharraf to step down and restore civilian rule. General Musharraf toppled Mr. Sharif’s government in a 1999 coup and became a key American ally after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Mr. Sharif’s party already has challenged his most recent expulsion before the Supreme Court, which last month ruled that he had an “inalienable” right to return.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Aziz, his Cabinet ministers and allied parties reiterated their support for General Musharraf to seek another term.

“All coalition partners present in the Cabinet said that the re-election of the president is essential for the country’s stability, security and growth,” said an official statement issued after Mr. Aziz headed a meeting with his ministers.
General Musharraf also has been under international pressure to strengthen Pakistan’s efforts against Taliban and Al Qaeda militants operating along the Afghan border. The Pakistani president got a boost yesterday when visiting American Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte heaped praise on his government’s efforts.

“There is no doubt whatsoever of Pakistan’s commitment to restoring and establishing security in that part of the country and more than doing its share in the war against terror,” Mr. Negroponte said.

Asked about Mr. Sharif’s expulsion, Mr. Negroponte offered no criticism, saying it was an internal matter for Pakistan.