Sharif Seeks to Return to Pakistan

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s efforts to return from exile as a free man are now before the country’s Supreme Court.

The court, which began hearings Thursday, must decide whether to grant Sharif, who was deposed in 1999 by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless military coup, permission to return and do so without being sent to jail to serve a life term imposed by the government.

Sharif, who was sent to Saudi Arabia after the coup, reportedly wants to return to Pakistan and contest elections this year, the BBC reported Thursday. Such a prospect may add to the problems of the already embattled Musharraf, who is seeking re-election.

Before the court are documents the Musharraf government said were signed by Sharif to stay out of the country and not get involved in politics for 10 years in exchange for his freedom and exile, the report said.

Sharif has said there was no such agreement with the government but only an understanding with the Saudis, the report said.