Musharraf: Eminent personality has advised Sharif against return

Islamabad: President Pervez Musharraf said yesterday an "eminent personality" has advised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to change his mind about returning to Pakistan.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a road bridge at Pind Dadankhan in Punjab province, General Musharraf said the personality whom he called a "friend of Pakistan" had conveyed to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader in London the message to abide by his exile agreement.

The government says the deal in 2000 - a year after Sharif's ouster from power - was mediated by Saudi Arabia as well as the Lebanese Hariri family.

Rival

The president made no mention of the ongoing power-sharing negotiations with ex-premier and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto, who is Sharif's arch rival.

He said Sharif should honour his undertaking and stay in exile for 10 years until 2010.

"I also urge him to abide by the agreement," he said, adding that the former prime minister had made a written agreement with a "very eminent personality, a great friend and well-wisher of Pakistan and this personality has given him a message not to violate this agreement".

He said Sharif "should also show character and not violate the agreement". Musharraf said Sharif had himself proposed exile and went abroad to avoid life imprisonment, which was remitted by then civilian president Mohammad Rafiq Tarar.

The president said he wanted stability and good law and order situation in the run-up to the general election.

"My concern is external and internal threats and the vested interests who want to create an atmosphere of uncertainty," the president said, urging people to be vigilant against such attempts.

He said political reconciliation could best be achieved if people vote for those who desired progress and stability in the country. "If I remain, your progress and prosperity will be my priority," the president pledged.

He said certain leaders who were in exile were trying to create an impression that they did a lot for the country and undertook several projects. But, he contended, the country had to bear the burden of the "expensive projects" and accumulated heavy debts. Musharraf said from 1947 to 1988 the national exchequer had Rs202 billion (Dh12.3 billion). From 1988 to 1999 it grew to Rs306 billion, while in the past seven years of his rule the figure to over Rs1 trillion. Similarly, the Public Sector Development Programme of the country that was around Rs80 billion from 1988 to 1999 whereas it was currently at Rs520 billion.