The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, finally returned to her homeland on Thursday, after eight years of self-imposed exile.

Arriving Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, after she was threatened by al Qaeda linked militants, she has made a comeback that could help her share the power with not yet confirmed President Pervez Musharraf.

Leaving Dubai, where she lived, she was greeted by 250.000 supporters who gathered at the airport.

She was wearing a shalwar kameez, a traditional costume, in colours that remind of the Pakistanis flag. She passed under the Koran and then kissed it. She was guarded by hundreds of armed security personnel.

Bhutto made an alliance with Pervez Musharraf, who made a bloodless coup in October 1999 , which will probably make them share the power.

Benazir Bhutto, who was a Prime Minister twice (1988-1990 and 1993-1996), promised Pakistan to bring democracy, after she flew the country to escape corruption charges.