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Pakistan ex-PM ignores 'arrest' Pakistan ex-PM ignores 'arrest'
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistan opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has defied an apparent house arrest order to head for a protest in Lahore.Pakistan opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has defied an apparent house arrest order to head for a protest in Lahore.
Describing the order - denied by the government - as "illegal" he left his Lahore home urging people to join him.Describing the order - denied by the government - as "illegal" he left his Lahore home urging people to join him.
Police fired tear gas at the stone-throwing protesters who plan to march to Islamabad to demand judges sacked by the former government be reinstated.Police fired tear gas at the stone-throwing protesters who plan to march to Islamabad to demand judges sacked by the former government be reinstated.
But Mr Sharif's car was allowed to drive through a police cordon as it approached the rally in central Lahore.But Mr Sharif's car was allowed to drive through a police cordon as it approached the rally in central Lahore.
The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader later set off in a convoy of vehicles to join the protest "long march" to Islamabad.The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader later set off in a convoy of vehicles to join the protest "long march" to Islamabad.
"It's now a matter of the future of Pakistani nation and coming generations," Mr Sharif told the Geo TV news channel by telephone from his bullet-proof car, reported Reuters news agency. "How can we abandon our mission halfway?" "It's now a matter of the future of Pakistani nation and coming generations," Mr Sharif told the Geo TV news channel by telephone from his bullet-proof car.
"How can we abandon our mission halfway?"
En route, he is due to arrive in Rawalpindi in the early hours of Monday where he is expected to be joined by his brother, Shahbaz Sharif, former chief minister of the Punjab, and leaders of the lawyers' movement.
Police are said to be surrounding the property in Rawalpindi where his brother is believed to be staying.
'Fascist tactics''Fascist tactics'
The BBC's Barbara Plett says it is not clear if he will be able to reach Islamabad, given the authorities have blocked routes leading to the capital.The BBC's Barbara Plett says it is not clear if he will be able to reach Islamabad, given the authorities have blocked routes leading to the capital.
The house arrest is illegal and immoral, all these decisions are unconstitutional Nawaz Sharif In pictures: Pakistan protestsDeja-vu in crackdownQ&A: Pakistan political instabilityThe house arrest is illegal and immoral, all these decisions are unconstitutional Nawaz Sharif In pictures: Pakistan protestsDeja-vu in crackdownQ&A: Pakistan political instability
Ahead of the protest, the government has also arrested hundreds of opposition activists and banned rallies, saying they could trigger violence.Ahead of the protest, the government has also arrested hundreds of opposition activists and banned rallies, saying they could trigger violence.
Our Islamabad correspondent says the campaign over the judges has become a power struggle between Mr Sharif and current President Asif Ali Zardari.Our Islamabad correspondent says the campaign over the judges has become a power struggle between Mr Sharif and current President Asif Ali Zardari.
She says the unrest has alarmed the West, which wants Pakistan to focus on the battle against the Taleban on the Afghan border.She says the unrest has alarmed the West, which wants Pakistan to focus on the battle against the Taleban on the Afghan border.
President Zardari - the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto - promised to bring back the judges when he took office last year following his wife's assassination.President Zardari - the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto - promised to bring back the judges when he took office last year following his wife's assassination.
Early on Sunday, riot police blocked access roads to Mr Sharif's home and reportedly baton-charging his supporters.Early on Sunday, riot police blocked access roads to Mr Sharif's home and reportedly baton-charging his supporters.
Leaving his home later in the morning, Mr Sharif told a crowd: "The house arrest is illegal and immoral. All these decisions are unconstitutional," reported AFP news agency.Leaving his home later in the morning, Mr Sharif told a crowd: "The house arrest is illegal and immoral. All these decisions are unconstitutional," reported AFP news agency.
Mr Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, also a senior politician, was said to be in hiding in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near Islamabad at a property also surrounded by police.
Party spokesman Ahsan Iqbal told the BBC: "A government which claims to be a democratic government is coming with such heavy-handed fascist tactics."Party spokesman Ahsan Iqbal told the BBC: "A government which claims to be a democratic government is coming with such heavy-handed fascist tactics."
But interior ministry chief Rehman Malik told the BBC the police were outside Mr Sharif's home for his own protection because of the threat from terrorists.But interior ministry chief Rehman Malik told the BBC the police were outside Mr Sharif's home for his own protection because of the threat from terrorists.
Long-running tensionsLong-running tensions
Mr Sharif was ousted as prime minister in 1999 during a coup by General Pervez Musharraf, who ruled until August 2008.Mr Sharif was ousted as prime minister in 1999 during a coup by General Pervez Musharraf, who ruled until August 2008.
Tensions between Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif date back to the 1990s, but the two formed a brief partnership in government after parliamentary elections in February 2008.Tensions between Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif date back to the 1990s, but the two formed a brief partnership in government after parliamentary elections in February 2008.
Mr Sharif's party later left the alliance, complaining of reluctance by Mr Zardari's Pakistan People's Party to reinstate the judges sacked by the last government.Mr Sharif's party later left the alliance, complaining of reluctance by Mr Zardari's Pakistan People's Party to reinstate the judges sacked by the last government.
Relations have been further strained in recent weeks by a Supreme Court decision to ban Mr Sharif and his brother Shahbaz from elected office, and President Zardari's decision to put their stronghold in Punjab province under direct rule from Islamabad.Relations have been further strained in recent weeks by a Supreme Court decision to ban Mr Sharif and his brother Shahbaz from elected office, and President Zardari's decision to put their stronghold in Punjab province under direct rule from Islamabad.
Shahbaz Sharif was Punjab's chief minister.
But on Saturday, in a move seen as a conciliatory gesture, the government agreed to seek a review of the Supreme Court ruling.But on Saturday, in a move seen as a conciliatory gesture, the government agreed to seek a review of the Supreme Court ruling.
The political instability comes as Pakistan faces an economic crisis and a growing militant insurgency based in the north-west.The political instability comes as Pakistan faces an economic crisis and a growing militant insurgency based in the north-west.


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