Court mulls Pakistan ex-PM return

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6959721.stm

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Pakistan's Supreme Court has resumed hearings on a petition by the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, to return to the country.

Mr Sharif went into exile after he was ousted by President Pervez Musharraf in a 1999 military coup.

His plans to return and contest elections are seen as a challenge to the president, who is facing growing political pressures.

Mr Sharif wants the Supreme Court to grant him permission to return.

He also seeks a guarantee that he will not be sent back to jail if he does.

Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison after General Musharraf's coup in 1999.

The authorities say he promised to stay out of Pakistan and away from politics for 10 years in exchange for his freedom and exile in Saudi Arabia.

They have submitted to the court copies of documents which they say prove this. It is not clear whether these documents have any legal basis.

Mr Sharif denies doing a deal with the government, although he admits to an understanding with the Saudis.

Analysts say the government fears a return by Nawaz Sharif because he leads the largest party in an opposition alliance committed to removing Gen Musharraf from power.