World | Pakistan
Sharif returns with vow to end dictatorship
Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in the Pakistani city of Lahore on Sunday after seven years of exile, Dawn Television said.
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 17:41 November 25, 2007
- Supporters of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif celebrate his return to the country on Sunday
- Image Credit: Reuters
Lahore: Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif returned from exile in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, and said he was determined to rid the country of dictatorship.
"We want democracy and nothing else," Sharif told the BBC by telephone on arriving back in his hometown Lahore. "I am here to play my role and also make my own efforts to rid the country of dictatorship."
US ally President General Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule on November 3 but, under pressure from Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, he reluctantly acquiesced to Sharif's return.
Sharif will lead his party in a January 8 general election, if he decides against boycotting the polls.
Khalid Maqbool, governor of central Punjab province, described Sharif's return to his hometown as a step toward national reconciliation after the bloodless 1999 coup.
Sharif was accompanied by his wife Kulsoom and politician brother and fellow exile Shahbaz Sharif. Hundreds of people managed to breach the security cordon at the airport to welcome them home, although police carrying riot shields, batons and rifles had been deployed. Police arrested hundreds of Sharif's followers.
- With inputs from agencies
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Geo TV also plans to move out of Dubai
Geo TV also plans to move out of Dubai
-
Sharifs to land in Lahore on Sunday
Sharifs to land in Lahore on Sunday
-
Musharraf confirmed as president
Musharraf confirmed as elected president of Pakistan
-
Thousands of Sharif's supporters held
Thousands of supporters detained ahead of Nawaz Sharif's return
-
Twin suicide attacks in Pakistan kill 16
Pakistan suicide attack on Ministry of Defence bus kills more than a dozen
-
Aziz will not stand in parliamentary elections next year
Aziz will not stand in parliamentary elections next year
-
Pakistan to review Commonwealth ties
Pakistan slams Commonwealth decision as 'unjustified'
-
Focus shifts to General Ashfaq Kiyani
Focus shifts to General Ashfaq Kiyani
News Editor's choice
-
Ajtebi's phenomenal assent
The former camel jockey was at the peak of his powers when upstaging Garret Gomez
-
US pushing for more aid to Philippines
Obama administration eyeing $667m security assistance package
-
Mohammad launches H1N1 campaign
Shaikh Mohammad was the first one to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
