The former Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, is to return home to lead her party into the country's general election, defying the prospect of arrest.

Ms Bhutto, who was recently sentenced to three years hard labour for corruption by a Pakistani court, intends to run for the post of prime minister despite a raft of fresh legislation which effectively blocks her candidacy.

She told the BBC's World Today that her involvement would at the very least allow her to "shape the debate" in the run up to the election on 10 October.

But she added that she believed that President Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup in October 1999, may try to rig the poll in order to establish a parliament favourable to him.

Two strikes

Ms Bhutto, who was ousted as prime minister in 1996 and lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London, alleged that candidates from her Pakistan People's Party had already been intimidated by officials.

Critics say Musharraf is trying to hold on to power

"They have been told they will never be allowed to win unless they switch sides," she said. "Given these experiences, we feel he [President Musharraf] wants to rig the election."

Earlier this month, Ms Bhutto was tried in absentia by a court in the city of Rawalpindi for receiving kickbacks when awarding a contract to import gold to a Dubai-based company.

The prosecutor-general of the National Accountability Bureau said that that the sentence disqualified Ms Bhutto from elections scheduled for October.

She could be arrested on charges of corruption if she returns home.

In addition, a decree issued by General Musharraf shortly before the convictions bars all former premiers from running for office for a third time.

Ms Bhutto has been prime minister of Pakistan twice before.