By DPA
Islamabad : Pakistan’s opposition leader and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif announced Thursday he would return home on Sep 10 after six years’ exile to launch what he called a “decisive battle” against the military rule of President General Pervez Musharraf.
“I am going back for the restoration of undiluted, genuine democracy and rule of law,” he told reporters in a press briefing that was telecast by several news channels in Pakistan.
Sharif, 57, was ousted by Musharraf in a bloodless military coup after which he was sentenced for life on charges of hijacking, treason and tax evasion. In late 2001, his sentence was quashed and he was expelled from the country for next six years.
The government has repeatedly argued that he voluntarily went into exile under a deal, but the Supreme Court rejected the claim on Aug 23.
It directed the authorities that his return “shall not be restrained, constrained or hampered by the provincial or federal government”.
“We will land in Islamabad, in the same city where we were exiled from, where a dictator ambushed our democratically elected government,” Sharif said.
The announced comeback of the chief of Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) opposition party, which is still a highly popular political party of the country, is being seen as a major threat to rule of the embattled president who is increasingly losing popularity among the masses.
The general plans to seek a second five-year term before Oct 15 from the current parliamentary assemblies, which are controlled by his supporters. Elections of a new parliament are due to take place within three months of the presidential election.
He is currently negotiating a power-share deal with another opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in a bid to ensure his political survival. Bhutto, also in exile since 1998, has demanded him to step down as army chief.
Sharif warned against such an agreement. “This man is on his way out and no one should try to rescue his sinking ship for personal motives,” he warned, adding that the public has “rejected him with or without uniform”.
However, the government has vowed to prevent Sharif from returning home. Attorney General Malik Qayuum warned that the matter of his earlier conviction was still not closed, and the sentences will be revived if he decides to return.
“I cannot be intimidated by such threats,” Sharif said earlier this week.