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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Exiled Pakistani PM can go home | Exiled Pakistani PM can go home |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Pakistan's Supreme Court has ruled that exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif can return to the country. | Pakistan's Supreme Court has ruled that exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif can return to the country. |
| Mr Sharif left Pakistan after he was ousted by President Pervez Musharraf in a 1999 military coup. | Mr Sharif left Pakistan after he was ousted by President Pervez Musharraf in a 1999 military coup. |
| His campaign to return and contest elections has been seen by analysts as a challenge to the president, who is facing growing political pressures. | His campaign to return and contest elections has been seen by analysts as a challenge to the president, who is facing growing political pressures. |
| But correspondents say the former prime minister could still face charges if he decides to return home. | But correspondents say the former prime minister could still face charges if he decides to return home. |
| Jubilant supporters of Mr Sharif outside the court in Islamabad cheered the ruling and called on Gen Musharraf to stand down. | Jubilant supporters of Mr Sharif outside the court in Islamabad cheered the ruling and called on Gen Musharraf to stand down. |
| Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison for hijacking, tax evasion and treason and was kicked out of Pakistan after the coup. | Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison for hijacking, tax evasion and treason and was kicked out of Pakistan after the coup. |
| 'Dictatorship' | 'Dictatorship' |
| The authorities said Mr Sharif promised to stay out of Pakistan and away from politics for 10 years in exchange for his freedom and exile in Saudi Arabia. | The authorities said Mr Sharif promised to stay out of Pakistan and away from politics for 10 years in exchange for his freedom and exile in Saudi Arabia. |
| But Mr Sharif denied doing a deal with the Pakistan government. | But Mr Sharif denied doing a deal with the Pakistan government. |
| They have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad ChaudhryChief Justice class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6959782.stm">Profile: Nawaz Sharif | |
| And Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said in his judgement: "The Sharifs can return to Pakistan unhindered. | And Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said in his judgement: "The Sharifs can return to Pakistan unhindered. |
| "They have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan." | "They have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan." |
| Mr Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, another politician, was also exiled in 2000. | Mr Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, another politician, was also exiled in 2000. |
| Mr Sharif leads the biggest party in an opposition alliance committed to removing his Gen Musharraf from power. | Mr Sharif leads the biggest party in an opposition alliance committed to removing his Gen Musharraf from power. |
| He and cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan announced in London in June that they were teaming up to challenge what they called Gen Musharraf's "dictatorship." | He and cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan announced in London in June that they were teaming up to challenge what they called Gen Musharraf's "dictatorship." |
| Mr Sharif, who still officially heads his faction of the conservative Pakistan Muslim League party from exile, served as prime minister from 1990 to 1993, and again from 1997 to 1999. | Mr Sharif, who still officially heads his faction of the conservative Pakistan Muslim League party from exile, served as prime minister from 1990 to 1993, and again from 1997 to 1999. |
| The hijacking charges against Mr Sharif related to his bid to stop Gen Musharraf's plane from landing in Pakistan on the day of the coup. | The hijacking charges against Mr Sharif related to his bid to stop Gen Musharraf's plane from landing in Pakistan on the day of the coup. |
| Nadir Chaudhri, a spokesman for Nawaz Sharif, told Reuters from the former prime minister's base in London: "It's a great day for democracy and rule of law and for the fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan." | |
| The verdict comes at a potentially awkward time for Gen Musharraf, as he is expected to seek re-election later this year. |