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Exiled Pakistani PM can go home Exiled Pakistani PM can go home
(about 1 hour 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. Nadir Chaudhri, a spokesman for Nawaz Sharif, told Reuters news agency 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."
'Dictatorship' 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
Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison for hijacking, tax evasion and treason and went into exile after the coup.
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 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. Musharraf under pressure
The verdict comes at a potentially awkward time for Gen Musharraf, as he is expected to seek re-election later this year.
There has been speculation in the Pakistan media that he might seek a power-sharing deal with another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto.
Ms Bhutto, who leads the Pakistan People's Party, left Pakistan in 1999 amid allegations of corruption.
Mr Sharif leads the biggest party in a six-party religious opposition alliance committed to removing 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.