Sharif may not contest November by-polls

The reports further said that under a controversial accord between Sharif and former President Pervez Musharraf,the PML-N chief did not take part in last years general election because he had been asked by King Abdullah to abide by the arrangement.

It is widely believed that the Saudi royal family brokered the deal under which Sharif left Pakistan and went into exile in Saudi Arabia after being ousted in a coup led by Musharraf in 1999.

The PML-N government in Punjab province has sought the postponement of by-elections through an application filed in the Lahore High Court. It has cited security reasons for the move but the decision caused surprise and consternation within the party.

PML-N leaders are unsure what Sharifs decision will be if the High Court asks the Election Commission to go ahead with the polls scheduled for November.