Ex-Premier Sharif Lands in Pakistan

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif landed in Pakistan Monday, returning from exile to lead a campaign to topple Pakistan's U.S.-allied military ruler who ousted him in a military coup eight years ago.

Police arrested leading Sharif supporters and clashed with others on blocked roads leading to Islamabad airport, where he arrived on board a Pakistan International Airlines flight from London.

Supporters on the flight chanted ``Go, Musharraf, Go!'' as Sharif's flight taxied on the runway, an Associated Press reporter on board said.

Before leaving London, Sharif warned that President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's government might try to arrest or deport him. At the last minute, he asked his brother Shahbaz Sharif to remain in Britain so that he can lead the party in case anything happens to the former prime minister.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070910/ap_on_re_as/pakistan_politics

[Canuckistanian]

1. Uh oh, this doesn't sound good

This is a major challenge to Musharraf. Not only Sharif, but Benazir Bhutto has been saying she wants to come back as well.

Pakistan is becoming a powderkeg.

[Nutmegger]

2. Sharif 'taken to Pakistan jail'

Source: BBC News

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been arrested and flown to prison after returning home from exile, officials and eye-witnesses say.

Mr Sharif, who was ousted by President Pervez Musharraf in a 1999 coup, said he was returning to mount a challenge to the president ahead of elections.

But on his arrival he was charged with money laundering and corruption and bundled into a helicopter.

Meanwhile Mr Sharif's supporters clashed with police in several cities.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6986584.stm

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Edited to reflect title / article change.

[krispos42]

3. Oh, goodie...

civil unrest and a possible civil war in a country with nukes.

Well, I'm sure nuking or otherwise attacking Iran will immediately stabilize Pakistan. :eyes:

[MADem]

4. Errr....freedom is on the march!!!! Democracy for everyone, err...except Pakistan! nt

[regnaD kciN]

5. It's the NEW Bush Doctrine...!

We have a global responsibility to take action in the middle east to establish and support fledgling democr...I mean, military strongmen who can be counted on to back U.S. interests over that of their own people.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Latest headline: "Pakistan 'deports' ex-PM Sharif"

(BBC likes to change its headline in situ)

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been arrested and deported within hours of returning to Pakistan from exile, officials say.

After landing in Islamabad he was charged and put on board a plane, reportedly bound for Saudi Arabia.
...
Eventually he agreed to leave the plane and was escorted to the airport's VIP lounge.

But shortly afterwards, he was separated from his entourage, returned to the tarmac and put on board a helicopter. Later, he was apparently transferred to a plane bound for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

[JCMach1]

7. Sharif and Bhutto are both majorly corrupt... they are not the

solution for Pakistan.

[MaineDem]

8. Reminds me of when Khomeni returned to Iran

(For those of you old enough to remember)

Hope this turns out better.

[BornagainDUer]

9. Former Pakistani PM arrested and deported to Saudi Arabia

Source: Reuters

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif was arrested and deported to Saudi Arabia on Monday within hours of arriving home from exile vowing to end the rule of President Pervez Musharraf.

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While Musharraf has fended off the immediate challenge from a rival by deporting Sharif, the president is likely to face a backlash from many Pakistanis already tired of what they see as his dictatorial rule and rising prices.

The country, an important U.S. ally, now faces weeks of uncertainty as Musharraf attempts to secure another term in a presidential election in the national and provincial assemblies between September 15 and October 15.

A general election is due around the end of the year.





Read more: ttp://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070910/ts_nm/pakistan_dc_31;_ylt=AhXeeVhJqXxIq9iuAMNyaEwE1vAI

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Why is he going to SAudi Arabia?

[Kagemusha]

10. Because they'll take him and they made the original 10 year exile deal?

:shrug:

[JCMach1]

11. Funniest thing Musharef has done in a long time

Nawaz Sharif and Ms. Bhutto are ineligible to serve another term under the Constitution...

Both are also highly corrupt as is Musharef...

The solution needs to come from outside these 3.