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Exiled Pakistani PM 'to go home' Exiled Pakistani PM 'to go home'
(20 minutes 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 the exiled politician 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.
'Dictatorship has lost' 'Not scared'
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 told the BBC: "Dictatorship and democracy don't go together. One will have to go.
"It is the beginning of the end of Musharraf." "It is dictatorship which will have to go. The sooner Musharraf understands this, the better it is for him and the country."
He added: "I will face anything that he does against me. I'm not scared of that." He said he was not afraid of facing charges upon his return to Pakistan.
"I'm not scared," he said. "If Musharraf wants to fabricate cases against me, let him do that. I'll face them."
The Sharifs have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad ChaudhryChief Justice Profile: Nawaz Sharif Have Your SayThe Sharifs have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad ChaudhryChief Justice Profile: Nawaz Sharif Have Your Say
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. Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison for tax evasion and treason among other offences and went into exile following 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.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. But Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said in his judgement on Thursday: "(The Sharifs) have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan."
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."
Mr Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, another politician, was also exiled in 2000.Mr Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, another politician, was also exiled in 2000.
Pakistani Attorney General Malik Mohammed Qayyum said the government accepted the ruling but suggested the Sharifs could face legal action on Pakistani soil. The Pakistani government said it accepted the ruling but hinted the Sharifs might face legal action on home soil.
"Let them come and the law will take its own course," he said. Attorney General Malik Mohammed Qayyum said: "Let them come and the law will take its own course."
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-Aug: 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 Q&A: Political crisisMUSHARRAF 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-Aug: 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 Q&A: Political crisis
Mr Sharif leads the biggest party in a six-party religious opposition alliance committed to removing Gen Musharraf from power. Mr Sharif, who still officially heads his faction of the conservative Pakistan Muslim League party from exile, was prime minister twice.
Mr Sharif, who still officially heads his faction of the conservative Pakistan Muslim League party from exile, served as prime minister twice. He leads the main part of a six-party religious opposition alliance which is committed to removing Gen Musharraf from power.
The verdict comes at a difficult time for Gen Musharraf, as he is expected to seek re-election later this year. Thursday's verdict came at a difficult 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. There has been speculation in Pakistan that he might seek a power-sharing deal with another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto.
Ms Bhutto, who leads the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), left Pakistan in 1999 amid allegations of corruption. Ms Bhutto, who leads the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), left the country in 1999 amid allegations of corruption.
The PPP, which is not part of Mr Sharif's opposition alliance, welcomed Thursday's ruling. Her party, which is not part of Mr Sharif's opposition alliance, welcomed Thursday's ruling.
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. Senior PPP leader Raza Rabbani told the BBC: "When (Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif) are both back, democracy will be strengthened and dictatorship will be at end."
"When they are both back, democracy will be strengthened and dictatorship will be at end."