Sharif's second return bid tomorrow
Islamabad (PTI): Nearly two months after he was unceremoniously deported on his arrival here, exiled former premier Nawaz Sharif is set to return to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia on Sunday following Riyadh's intervention.
Sharif, who has been living in Jeddah since he was deported to Saudi Arabia by President Pervez Musharraf soon after he landed here on Sep 10 after a seven-year exile, would fly to Lahore in a special aircraft provided by the Saudi government, his nephew Hamza Sharif announced here on Saturday.
Unlike last time when Saudi Arabia had opposed his move to travel to Pakistan, Sharif's return this time has been cleared by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz whom he met late last night in Riyadh. Musharraf had made a brief visit to Saudi Arabia on November 20 where he met the King and apparently discussed the issue of Sharif's return.
Though the military ruler's spokesman said there was no contact between Musharraf and Sharif, it is believed that Sharif met Lt Gen Nadeem Taj, chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, who accompanied Musharraf to Riyadh.
"The flight (carrying Sharif) will reach (Lahore) at 4 PM Pakistan time (4.30 PM IST). We have galvanised our party and are holding several meetings. The party is gearing up to accord him a rousing welcome," Hamza told Dawn News channel.
Sharif, will be accompanied by his brother Shahbaz Sharif, who has also been living in exile in London.
Sources at his residence in Jeddah said he was performing Umrah (mini Haj pilgrimage) in Mecca.
Asked what Pakistan Muslim League (N) would do if authorities tried to deport Sharif again, Hamza said: "We are hopeful that no hurdles will be created but if there are any, then we would face them."
