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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Sharif names Pakistan return date | Sharif names Pakistan return date |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Pakistan's exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will return home on 10 September to challenge President General Pervez Musharraf, he says. | Pakistan's exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will return home on 10 September to challenge President General Pervez Musharraf, he says. |
| Mr Sharif, deposed by Gen Musharraf in 1999, was speaking in London a week after Pakistan's top court defied the government to rule his return legal. | Mr Sharif, deposed by Gen Musharraf in 1999, was speaking in London a week after Pakistan's top court defied the government to rule his return legal. |
| The United States reminded Mr Musharraf of his commitment to resign his army position before fighting elections. | |
| "We expect him to honour that commitment" said a US spokesman. | |
| The Pakistani leader "has said he's going to deal... with this issue in accordance with the constitution," said State Department spokesman Tom Casey. | |
| From the White House, spokesman Gordon Johndroe said that the US primarily "seeks free and fair elections" in Pakistan. | |
| 'Unfortunate' | |
| Mr Sharif's announcement came as former PM Benazir Bhutto claims she is nearing a deal to share power with Gen Musharraf. | |
| Correspondents have said Mr Sharif could still face jail if he goes home. | Correspondents have said Mr Sharif could still face jail if he goes home. |
| Mr Sharif said he planned to "start a decisive struggle against dictatorship", adding that Gen Musharraf should step down from the presidency and from his army post. | Mr Sharif said he planned to "start a decisive struggle against dictatorship", adding that Gen Musharraf should step down from the presidency and from his army post. |
| 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 How 1999 coup unfolded Profile: Nawaz Sharif Q&A: Political crisis | 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 How 1999 coup unfolded Profile: Nawaz Sharif Q&A: Political crisis |
| The former prime minister, who served two terms between 1990 and 1993 and from 1997 to 1999, said it would be "unfortunate" if Ms Bhutto made a deal with Gen Musharraf. | The former prime minister, who served two terms between 1990 and 1993 and from 1997 to 1999, said it would be "unfortunate" if Ms Bhutto made a deal with Gen Musharraf. |
| "I disagree with Ms Bhutto's current policy of shaking hands with a dictator," he said. | "I disagree with Ms Bhutto's current policy of shaking hands with a dictator," he said. |
| Referring to an electoral pact he signed with Ms Bhutto last year agreeing to fight Gen Musharraf's rule, he said: "She has given me her word, and she is going back on it." | Referring to an electoral pact he signed with Ms Bhutto last year agreeing to fight Gen Musharraf's rule, he said: "She has given me her word, and she is going back on it." |
| Gen Musharraf is seeking support for presidential elections that could give him another five-year term. | Gen Musharraf is seeking support for presidential elections that could give him another five-year term. |
| But he is under pressure to reach a deal with the opposition after several Supreme Court rulings have gone against him. | But he is under pressure to reach a deal with the opposition after several Supreme Court rulings have gone against him. |
| 'Right to return' | 'Right to return' |
| Under Pakistani law, prime ministers cannot serve more than two terms - which would disqualify both Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif. | Under Pakistani law, prime ministers cannot serve more than two terms - which would disqualify both Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif. |
| Mr Sharif has spent most of his exile in the UK and Saudi Arabia | |
| Ms Bhutto wants this clause removed from constitution, and she says a deal will only be made with Gen Musharraf if he resigns his army role. | Ms Bhutto wants this clause removed from constitution, and she says a deal will only be made with Gen Musharraf if he resigns his army role. |
| The general's spokesman said on Thursday he was considering standing down from his army position, but no decision had yet been made. | The general's spokesman said on Thursday he was considering standing down from his army position, but no decision had yet been made. |
| Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison for offences including tax evasion and treason after the 1999 coup. | Mr Sharif was sentenced to life in prison for offences including tax evasion and treason after the 1999 coup. |
| Pakistani authorities say Mr Sharif promised to stay out of the country and away from politics for 10 years in exchange for his freedom. | Pakistani authorities say Mr Sharif promised to stay out of the country and away from politics for 10 years in exchange for his freedom. |
| But last week the country's Supreme Court ruled that he and his family had "an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan". | But last week the country's Supreme Court ruled that he and his family had "an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan". |