Pakistani newspapers cited unnamed party sources as saying Bhutto would come back in late October.

Bhutto, who is in talks with President Gen. Pervez Musharraf that could see them share power after elections, would not be deported in the manner of another former premier, Nawaz Sharif, a government spokesman said. Sharif was expelled hours after he flew in on Monday.

"Nawaz Sharif's case was different. He went back to Saudi Arabia because of an undertaking he had with the Saudi government," Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim told The Associated Press. "She (Bhutto) was always allowed to come back."

Asked about pending corruption cases against Bhutto, he added: "It's for the law to take its own course. Everybody has to face cases against them and the same applies to her."

Azim said the talks with Bhutto were continuing, but sticking points remained, including her desire for the corruption cases to be closed, her seeking a constitutional amendment to let her seek a third term as prime minister, and over the president's re-election.

"The talks are continuing but not at the same pace we might have wished. It's in the national interest for a resolution between political leaders to be reached. But it should be in the national interest, not in the personal interest of anyone," Azim said.

Bhutto has led her party from London and Dubai after leaving Pakistan in 1999 over the corruption allegations. Her party said it would announce her return date at simultaneous press conferences at key Pakistan cities at 5 p.m. (1200 GMT).

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