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Ex-Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif Sent Back Into Exile After Arrest on Corruption Charges

Monday , September 10, 2007

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan —
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's return from exile lasted about four hours Monday after Pakistani authorities took him into custody at Islamabad airport and promptly put him back on a plane believed bound for Saudi Arabia.

Sharif, who flew to Pakistan from London with hopes of starting a campaign to topple the government of archrival President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, was confronted by government commandos as soon as his flight landed.

After about 90 minutes of negotiations, Sharif agreed to leave the plane accompanied by several supporters. He immediately was served court papers detailing corruption charges and was then quickly spirited to another plane and flown out of Pakistan toward Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, an intelligence official said.

An official in Musharraf's office confirmed Sharif was deported but did not divulge his destination.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media. There was no immediate formal confirmation from the government.

Pakistan's Dawn News TV and ARY TV networks also reported that Sharif's destination was Jeddah.

Sharif's deportation came despite a landmark Supreme Court ruling last month that the two-time former premier, whose elected government was ousted by Musharraf in a 1999 coup, had the right to return to Pakistan and that authorities should not obstruct him.

While the move apparently sidelines a powerful political enemy of the general, it is likely to deepen Musharraf's growing unpopularity and reinforce public perceptions that he is an authoritarian ruler ahead of presidential and legislative elections.

Musharraf's grip on power has faltered after a failed attempt to oust the country's top judge ignited mass protests, but he is still plans to seek a new five-year term in office by mid-October.

His government is also struggling to combat surging Islamic extremism that has spread from the Afghan border where Al Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden is believed to be hiding.

Sharif's party condemned his deportation.

"It is a violation of the constitution, and it is a violation of the court order under which Nawaz Sharif was allowed to arrive and stay in Pakistan," Sadique ul-Farooq, a close aide to Sharif told The Associated Press.

He said Sharif has been deported to Jeddah.

Ex-Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif Sent Back Into Exile After Arrest on Corruption Charges (http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,296222,00.html)