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Exiled Pakistani PM 'to go home' Exiled Pakistani PM 'to go home'
(about 1 hour later)
Exiled former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif has pledged to go home soon and contest elections, in a bid to oust President Pervez Musharraf. Exiled former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has pledged to go home soon and contest elections, in a bid to oust President Pervez Musharraf.
He was speaking in London soon after Pakistan's top court ruled against the government and said he could return.He was speaking in London soon after Pakistan's top court ruled against the government and said he could return.
Mr Sharif, who left Pakistan after he was deposed by Gen Musharraf in a 1999 military coup, said it was "the beginning of the end" for his rival.Mr Sharif, who left Pakistan after he was deposed by Gen Musharraf in a 1999 military coup, said it was "the beginning of the end" for his rival.
Correspondents say Mr Sharif could still face charges if he goes home.Correspondents say Mr Sharif could still face charges if he goes home.
Jubilant supporters of Mr Sharif cheered Thursday's ruling in Islamabad and called on Gen Musharraf to stand down. Jubilant supporters of the exiled politician cheered Thursday's ruling in Islamabad and called on Gen Musharraf to stand down.
'Great day' 'Dictatorship has lost'
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." Mr Sharif told a London news conference: "This is a victory for democratic struggle. Dictatorship has lost, democracy has won and the constitution of Pakistan has won.
Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison for hijacking, tax evasion and treason and went into exile after the coup eight years ago. "It is the beginning of the end of Musharraf."
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. He added: "I will face anything that he does against me. I'm not scared of that."
But Mr Sharif denied doing a deal with the Pakistan government. The Sharifs have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad ChaudhryChief Justice class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6959782.stm">Profile: Nawaz Sharif class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=7138&edition=2&ttl=20070823134355">Have Your Say
They have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad ChaudhryChief Justice class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6959782.stm">Profile: Nawaz Sharif Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison for tax evasion and treason among other offences and went into exile after the coup eight years ago.
The authorities said Mr Sharif had promised to stay out of Pakistan and away from politics for 10 years in exchange for his freedom and exile.
But Mr Sharif's lawyers denied he did a deal with the Pakistan government.
And Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said in his judgement on Thursday: "The Sharifs can return to Pakistan unhindered.And Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said in his judgement on Thursday: "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.
The verdict comes at a potentially awkward time for Gen Musharraf, as he is expected to seek re-election later this year. Pakistani Attorney General Malik Mohammed Qayyum said the government accepted the ruling but suggested the Sharifs could face legal action on Pakistani soil.
There has been speculation in the Pakistan media that he might seek a power-sharing deal with another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto. "Let them come and the law will take its own course," he said.
Ms Bhutto, who leads the Pakistan People's Party, left Pakistan in 1999 amid allegations of corruption. MUSHARRAF UNDER PRESSURE 9 March - Musharraf suspends chief justice for "abuse of power". Lawyers protest April - protests grow, amid clashes with police12 May - 34 people die as rival political groups clash in Karachi11 July - 102 people die when army storms radical Red Mosque in IslamabadJuly-August - sharp rise in suicide attacks by pro-Taleban militants 20 July - Supreme Court reinstates chief justice9 Aug - Musharraf rejects emergency rule23 Aug - Supreme Court says exiled ex-PM Nawaz Sharif can return
Mr Sharif leads the biggest party in a six-party religious opposition alliance committed to removing Gen Musharraf from power.Mr Sharif leads the biggest party in a six-party religious opposition alliance committed to removing Gen Musharraf from power.
Musharraf under pressure Mr Sharif, who still officially heads his faction of the conservative Pakistan Muslim League party from exile, served as prime minister twice.
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." The verdict comes at a difficult time for Gen Musharraf, as he is expected to seek re-election later this year.
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. There has been speculation in the Pakistan media that he might seek a power-sharing deal with another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto.
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. Ms Bhutto, who leads the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), left Pakistan in 1999 amid allegations of corruption.
The chief justice who gave Thursday's Supreme Court ruling only narrowly avoided Gen Musharraf's attempts to sack him earlier this year after the courts over-ruled the president's decision. The PPP, which is not part of Mr Sharif's opposition alliance, welcomed Thursday's ruling.
That incident, together with the controversial storming of Islamabad's Red Mosque last month, have undermined Gen Musharraf's authority. Senior PPP leader Raza Rabbani told the BBC: "When Mr Sharif comes back, his party will receive a boost, as will the PPP when Ms Bhutto returns.
"When they are both back, democracy will be strengthened and dictatorship will be at end."