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Sharif facing Pakistan poll ban Sharif facing Pakistan poll ban
(about 4 hours later)
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been barred from standing as a parliamentary candidate in January. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been barred from standing in 8 January parliamentary elections.
A rival candidate had complained to the Election Commission, citing criminal convictions against Mr Sharif. The commission upheld the complaint.A rival candidate had complained to the Election Commission, citing criminal convictions against Mr Sharif. The commission upheld the complaint.
Mr Sharif returned from exile last month. He was overthrown in a 1999 military coup led by the then head of the army, Gen Pervez Musharraf.Mr Sharif returned from exile last month. He was overthrown in a 1999 military coup led by the then head of the army, Gen Pervez Musharraf.
President Musharraf resigned from his army post last week.President Musharraf resigned from his army post last week.
He was sworn in for a second term as president, this time as a civilian, on Thursday.He was sworn in for a second term as president, this time as a civilian, on Thursday.
Selective amnestySelective amnesty
Mr Sharif has until Friday to appeal against the ban.Mr Sharif has until Friday to appeal against the ban.
Ms Bhutto is already on the campaign trailMs Bhutto is already on the campaign trail
"His nomination papers are rejected because of his convictions," election officer Raja Qamaruzaman told the Reuters news agency in the eastern city of Lahore."His nomination papers are rejected because of his convictions," election officer Raja Qamaruzaman told the Reuters news agency in the eastern city of Lahore.
A lawyer for Mr Sharif, Imtiaz Kaifi, said the decision had been made under pressure: "I'm very clear that there is somebody else who is manoeuvring things." Mr Sharif said he found the decision "very surprising" and would tell other opposition parties they should join him in opposing the vote.
"We should now be fighting the dictatorship with more vigour and more determination."
Mr Sharif has said his party plans to boycott the vote, although he filed his nomination papers before making a final decision.
President Musharraf signed into law an amnesty earlier this year that cleared former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto from corruption charges facing her.President Musharraf signed into law an amnesty earlier this year that cleared former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto from corruption charges facing her.
At the time he and Ms Bhutto were engaged in power-sharing talks. The amnesty was a major factor in her decision to return from self-imposed exile.At the time he and Ms Bhutto were engaged in power-sharing talks. The amnesty was a major factor in her decision to return from self-imposed exile.
However the terms of the amnesty did not clear Mr Sharif.However the terms of the amnesty did not clear Mr Sharif.
He was found guilty of hijacking and terrorism after ordering in 1999 that the plane carrying Gen Musharraf back to Pakistan be stopped from landing.He was found guilty of hijacking and terrorism after ordering in 1999 that the plane carrying Gen Musharraf back to Pakistan be stopped from landing.
The move led to Gen Musharraf staging the coup.The move led to Gen Musharraf staging the coup.
Mr Sharif went into exile the next year.Mr Sharif went into exile the next year.
Boycott differencesBoycott differences
Mr Sharif and Ms Bhutto are due to meet later on Monday to discuss a possible joint boycott of January's elections. Mr Sharif and Ms Bhutto are meeting to discuss a possible joint boycott of January's elections.
Mr Musharraf says he will lift emergency rule, imposed one month ago, on 16 December.Mr Musharraf says he will lift emergency rule, imposed one month ago, on 16 December.
Mr Sharif has called for a boycott, but Ms Bhutto has indicated that a boycott would play into Mr Musharraf's hands.Mr Sharif has called for a boycott, but Ms Bhutto has indicated that a boycott would play into Mr Musharraf's hands.
Mr Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, has already been banned from the January elections. He had also applied to stand for a Lahore constituency.Mr Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, has already been banned from the January elections. He had also applied to stand for a Lahore constituency.