Sharif files plea in SC against ‘forced exile’

Accusing the Pakistan government of keeping them in “forced exile”, deposed premier Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shabaz on Thursday filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court, seeking a directive to the government not to obstruct their return home.

Accusing the Pakistan government of keeping them in “forced exile”, deposed premier Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shabaz on Thursday filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court, seeking a directive to the government not to obstruct their return home.

In identical petitions, the Sharif brothers, who are currently living in London, said they have been kept in forced exile and not being allowed to come to Pakistan even though they are Pakistani citizens.

They said their presence was necessary in Pakistan in view of the general elections scheduled to be held later this year, in which they intend to contest as well as lead their party.

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The two sought a directive to the government not to hamper their return directly or indirectly. They said as citizens of Pakistan, they have the “inalienable” right to come to Pakistan and remain here and participate in the polls.

They sought a court order against the federal and provincial governments not to directly or indirectly obstruct or resist their or their family member’s return.

Besides federal government, the petitions also named chief secretaries of four provinces to make sure the court orders would be implemented wherever they land in the country.

Sharif brothers along with 20 other members of their families were bundled into a plane in December 2000 and sent to Jeddah on a ten-year exile, which the government said was part of a deal reached between the Saudi royal family, President Pervez Musharraf and Sharif.

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As a result of the deal, Sharif managed to escape the life sentence awarded by an anti-terrorism court.

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