Sharifs to face action if they return home

The Pakistani military government yesterday warned that action under the law would be taken against the Sharif family members if they returned to the country from Saudi Arabia.

"They had gone abroad under an administrative arrangement and if they violate this arrangement the consequences would be the same as for those who violate the law," official news agency APP quoted Information Minister Nisar Memon as saying.

The minister said Sharif's family had decided to go abroad on their own. "No one can send anyone abroad by force. They had gone abroad happily. If they violate (the arrangement) it would be taken as a violation. It is for them to ponder whether they want to violate."

The warning followed reports that Shahbaz Sharif, younger brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was planning a return after his election as president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group).

The elder Sharif stepped down from the PML leadership last week and Shahbaz took over the mantle to lead the party campaign for the October 10 parliamentary elections in Pakistan.

Nisar said all political leaders who were outside the country had to face the cases pending against them and "they know that if they return legal action would be taken against them".

Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Altaf Hussain are others living in exile abroad.

Nisar denied reports of behind-the-scene contacts between the government and the Sharif family. "There has been no such talk; no dialogue is being made with any party. Everything is crystal clear and President Pervez Musharraf does not hold covert talks."