PAKISTAN: Nawaz Sharif's Return-Return Trip
This is a photo taken on a Pakistan International Airlines flight on Sunday, Sept. 9 as former Pakistani prime minsiter Nawaz Sharif headed to Pakistan from London, ending his seven-year exile in Saudi Arabia. But here's what happened within three hours of his landing, according to Bloomberg:
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was deported to Saudi Arabia after being arrested by police on his arrival at Islamabad International Airport. The move will be challenged in the country's Supreme Court.
Sharif, who tried to return from exile to lead a campaign against President Pervez Musharraf, was ousted in a military coup by Musharraf in 1999. He was taken into custody on corruption charges three hours after landing in the capital from London, a government official, who requested anonymity, said by telephone. He was deported by plane about an hour later, the official said.
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It should be noted that the 1999 decision to exile Nawaz Sharif by Musharraf was help and confirmed by the Supreme Courts of Pakistan, who ruled that the decision was in accordance with the constitution. There should therefore be no doubt that the authorities acted in their legal power to deport Sharif back to Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, news media outlets are forgetting the very reason for Sharif's exile. (1) immense corruption charges which depreciated the treasury reserve to just 3 days of foreign exchange when he left Pakistan. (2) And most importantly, the unconstitutional abuse of his power when he decided to replace the then Chief of Army Staff: Pervaiz Musharraf in 1999 with another officer of his own choice. All this took place within 24hours in 1999 when Musharraf was sent on a state visit to Sri-Lanka by Sharif himself. The Supreme Court was not consulted in the firing of Musharraf and therefore declared the 'charge-of-guards' unconstitutional.
Interesting state of affairs. Its important to read these developments within their historical context.
Posted by: Kasheb Kumar | September 10, 2007 at 09:51 AM
Needless to say, the legitimacy of the Supreme Court's decisions validating Musharraf's coup is, to put it mildly, legally controversial. Soon after taking power, Musharraf required all Supreme Court and High Court judges to take a new oath of office swearing allegiance to Musharraf's regime. The six justices who refused, including the chief justice, were expelled from office. The rather irregular decision that was subsequently rendered by the rump Supreme Court -- effectively rendered, that is, at receiving end of the barrel of a gun -- should not be understood as having the same legitimacy as a decision rendered by a regularly functioning tribunal under civilian rule.
In any event, Musharraf himself has arguably long since violated the Supreme Court's decisions himself. The reconstituted Court permitted Musharraf to hold office for three years. It now has been close to eight years since the coup. And incidentally, I don't think that the Saudi exile agreement was ever even presented to the Supreme Court back in 2000. Indeed, until Musharraf's lawyers presented it to the Court last month -- and were given the back of the hand -- the details of the agreement remained somewhat of a mystery.
As you say, it is important to read these developments within their historical context.
Posted by: Anil | September 10, 2007 at 10:32 AM
To be frank "NAWAJ"'s actual plan is to go to JEDDA. So he came to PAKISTAN.
He was deported to Jedda.
For sure the days are counted for Musharaf. As per one vision with in 253 days NAWAJ will be PM of Pakistan.
Posted by: Bhumiputra | September 10, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Also, technically "deported" is probably the wrong term to be using here because, legally speaking, it connotes expulsion of a non-citizen. Sharif, of course, is a Pakistani citizen who has never been stripped of that status. (Indeed, that was one of the premises of the Supreme Court's decision last month.) So I think it's probably more accurate to say that he was "banished," "expelled," or "transported."
Posted by: Anil | September 10, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Poor Pakistanis!
Be it Musharaff or Nawab, or Ms. Benazir, all these people are thinking of power and of themselves. I wonder if any one of them cares for the people of Pakistan. None of them deserve the responsibility of leading the nation.
May things change for the better and may the country discover a set of new leaders who would care and who would do good.
Indu Jagannathan
Posted by: Indu Jagannathan | September 11, 2007 at 01:26 AM
Looking at what Nawaz Sharif did when he was the Prime Minister to Genl Musharraf ,sending him on official visit to a foreign country and then not allowing his official plane to land ,leaving him hanging in the air,was simply too much, Genl Musharraf only deported Mr Nawaz who also signed the agreemnt for not returning to pakistan,he violated that agreement.
There is no question of supreme court,constitution or laws ,there is only one rule ,and that is MIGHT IS RIGHT.
Mr Nawaz Sharif should thank his stars,
Dont forget that Genl. Zia had executed benazirs father inspite of pleas for leneancy from the leaders around the world.
Lets hope that there is peace,and pakistanis get a leader who can remove poverty,corruption bring stability and peace to the region.
Adam
Posted by: Adam Rizvi | September 11, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Dear Sophie Richardson
Human Rights Watch
United States of America.
Human Rights Watch release on Sharif’s exile composed by Mr , Ali Dayan Hasan reveals as if Mr Hasan is not HRW associate but a strong Pakistani political party “Pakistan Muslim League” (Nawaz) activist.
Pakistani or Saudi Governments never flouted international law, the action by the government of Pakistan are not a direct affront to the Pakistani constitution and the recent Supreme Court ruling on Sharif.
“General Musharraf did not brazenly flouted international law in forcing Sharif back into exile. He did not violate Pakistan’s constitution and did not defy a direct ruling of Pakistan’s Supreme Court.
A seven member bench of Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled that the Sharifs “have an inalienable right to enter and remain in country, as citizens of Pakistan” under article 15 of the Pakistani constitution. “Their entry into the country shall not be restrained, hampered or obstructed by federal or provincial government agencies, in any manner,” a seven-member bench of the court said in a unanimous decision.
Thus Sharif was permitted to travel by Pakistan International Airlines from London Heathrow airport to Chaklala airport Islamabad. He was allowed to land at Chaklala, was accepted to walk his way to the “Rawal” arrival lounge to get endorsed the entry stamp on his Pakistani passport.
So approvingly Sharif’s entry into Pakistan was not restrained, hampered or obstructed by any of the federal or provincial government agencies, in any manner.
The fact remains that, with Saudi support, Nawaz Sharif signed a deal in 2001, the deal was brokered by Saudi King Abdullah, it was all on pressure by former US President Bill Clinton, who first talked with Pakistan President Musharraf four times on phone requesting him to forgive Sharif.
Under the deal rulings Sharif and his 19 family members were
1) not to stay in Pakistan for 10 years.
2) Were to stay in Saudi Arabia for 10 years.
3) On top Sharif was not to involve in Pakistani politics for 10 years.
After Sharif filed a petition in the Supreme Court the government of Pakistan presented to court few of the signed papers and wanted permission from the court to submit the full deal. But the court refused and in the court order ruled that the exile agreement had no legal standing.
Sharif is a leader a Masses leader, people’s leader. But signing in the deal in 2001 he forgot about the people, left them vulnerable . Then on top for the last six years he kept on lying to his people that he never made a agreement with President Musharraf.
The day government of Pakistan presented the signed copies in the Supreme court it was that day when Shehbaz Sharif admitted and excused that he had to sign as he was on gun point. Here it is ironical Shehbaz had three signatures on different dates, 2nd , 5th and 10th, now was he on gun point for 8 days 2nd through 10th.
Then Nawaz Sharif’s statement on the deal came for the first time after Saad Hariri and Muqrin made a press conference and disclosed in detail about the 2001 deal. Here too Sharif admitted for the first time that yes “I signed the deal”.
Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief, Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz, brother of the Saudi king, along with Saad Hariri, son of slain Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, addressed a press conference in Islamabad on September 8 calling on Sharif to honor the Saudi-brokered exile deal
Here once again I believe Nawaz Sharif lied once again saying he signed for a five year “no politics deal” not 10 years deal. But he was two times Prime Minister and is a senior politician how can he claim to have agreed and signed on a five year deal when the deal papers clearly noted “no politics for ten years”.
Now Saudis were clear they demanded strongly that Sharif should respect them respect the deal and not go to Pakistan. But Sharif betrayed them.
Sharif betrayed his loyalists, the Saudi King , betrayed with the public.
While in the Rawal Lounge at Chaklala Airport sharif was told that he is under arrest on MPO , some NAB cases and he was told that he would go to Landhi Jail Karachi.
He was also recalled of the 2001 Saudi deal. Here according to the reports sharif was given option , to choose if he would like to go to Landhi jail or Jeddah. Sharif choose to go to Jeddah and live with comfort. It was all the same as in 2001 to live a comfort life he choose to fly and live in Saudia instead of a life imprisonment in jail, he signed the deal.
So now the government of Pakistan should not be blamed of any forcible exile for Sharif. The government surely would prove it in the court after the Pakistan Muslim League have filed a contempt of court case in the Supreme Court.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is recognized as reflective of customary international law, states: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.” It also states that everyone has the right “to return to his country.”
If Sharif was arrested at Chaklala airport , he was arrested because there were some charges against him. It was not a arbitrary arrest.
If the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right “to return to his country.” It is for those who have not signed a deal to remain away from their own country for the set time. Sharif set the time for 10 years.
Concerning arrests of Pakistan Muslim League (N) or other opposition leaders including political leaders from the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) that was mainly to protect the country of any hazardous condition. Now surely all those arrested would be released without loosing time.
Human Rights Watch should avoid calling upon the United States to condemn Sharif’s forced illegal transfer to Saudi Arabia and the mass arrests in Pakistan. Firstly the forced exile is not confirmed yet, secondly the mass arrests will all diminish .
Human Rights Watch never make a delay condemning any governments for their actions but always forget to laud if any country makes good efforts. President Musharraf on Humanitarian grounds allowed Shahbaz Sharif to travel to New York USA for his cancer treatment.
Once again on humanitarian grounds allowed Nawaz Sharif to go to United Kingdom to see his ailing son.
Both the brothers Nawaz and Shehbaz proved to be cheaters con-artists. Sharif brothers lied to the public, they betrayed to their Saudi Supporters, then according to the agreement Nawaz Shjarif still have more years 3 or 4 to stay in Saudia. Thus his exile or deportation stands valid , legitimate, bona fide and have legal binding.
Mian Zahid Ghani
MZGNNI@aol.com
(732) 348-8118 (H)
(732) 213-8967 (C)
P.S: Kindly forward this message to MR Ali Dayan Hasan as I do not have his e-mail contact.
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Posted by: MIan Zahid Ghani | September 11, 2007 at 09:23 PM
Let me make it short and simple, Pakistani politics has become nothing but a drama that the whole world is witnessing. Nawaz Sharif all of a sudden plans to come back to Pakistan especially when elections are near. He already got 2 chances to prove his leadership but failed same goes for Benazir. We should give other people a chance like Imran Khan atleast once. Why didnt Nawaz Sharif open his case right after he was deported in 1999. Why now?? Although the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled the decision in Sharif's favor, he was again deported similarly as his brother was a couple of years ago, Shahbaz Sharif. This means that again Musharraf is using his power against the Supreme Court agains the Constitution.
Why not let Nawaz Sharif come back and face his cases so the Pakistan people could see whos right and whos wrong. By sending Sharif back he is again given a free pass to enjoy his life in Saudi Arabia without any tension.
Posted by: Atther AlQurieshi | September 23, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Atther qureshi
Imran Khan would make a handsome politician if he were to be the prime minister. The only problem with that is: Ayub Khan was even better looking than Imran Khan. Look where Ayub Khan left the country. In the hands of military juntas by inventing the romance between military and politics.
zahid ghani:
Which of the following noxious pakistani political denominations do you belong to
MQM Haquiqi
sipah-e-sahiba
sipah-e-janghvi
lakhshar-e-toiba
Jaish-e-mohammad
mujahidin-e-aurangzeb
talib-e-Saud
Fauj-e-khuda
khudai khidmatgar
on and on
Personally, sharif and Benazir don't appeal to me. One thing though, If sharif hadn't become a politician he would be a pakistani test cricketer. But look at pakistani test cricketer Imran Khan. He wants to be a politician. If Mick Jagger hadn't become a rocker singing 'I can get no satisfaction' he would have become an English test cricketer. See the difference. To a Brit, cricket is higher than music. To a pakistani politics is higher than cricket. That's a Pakistani's problem. He can't tell the difference between cricket, music and politics. They should just play cricket and let military and ISI kick ass.
On the other hand if Benazir took over Pakistan would always be 10% poorer. Old habits die hard, with or without Bruce Willis' help. PPP, MQM (altaf and haquiqi), Muslim League (sharif and the Musharraf) Mutadah etc. (Mullahs and A Q Khan) are not your cup of tea. Forget Sharif and the musharraf-oriented pakistani constitution. Forget Human Rights Watch. Focus on Muhajir oriented party of Altaf Hussain. He is the man to bail you out. General-President Musharraf can have all those colorful ribbons and coins on his pigeon chest but ask him where he got those coins from. They are all stolen from India and Nepal.
Posted by: panditjugalkishoreshastri | September 24, 2007 at 10:34 AM
In response to the previous comment,
first of all we are not in search of a good looking man for our politics it doesnt make sense. I proposed Imran Khan because he never got the chance to prove himself, he's doing a good job for humanity with his hospital, he is literate and has education in politics he knows what he's talking about, when we can give Sharif and Bhutto 2 chances each why not one to Khan.
Everyone has flaws, but in comparing with sharif and benazir i dont think they are any better then Khan in any way.
Posted by: Atther AlQurieshi | October 03, 2007 at 02:19 PM
absofrikkinlutely Atther.
I prefer a good looking politician to an ugly actor. On the global cinema (at least of the U.N. variety) politicians make more appearances than actors. It is only fair that there is a good looking liberal from Pakistan putting a smile on the raw nerves of pakistan. Hopefully, he will take some of those coins and ribbons from the chest of General-Pressident Musharraf who stole them from Myanamar, Sri Lanka and Tibet. To be modern is the only thing worth being nowadays. When will musharraf learn that moustache and military uniforms are things of the past.
THEREFORE
Long live Imran Khan. Vote or Imran Khan
Posted by: panditjugalkishoreshastri | October 03, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Oh Atther another thing.
Imran Khan is a great friend of Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton. They used to play cricket together in Mick Jager's personal cricket field. Try to beat that.
yeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Posted by: panditjugalkishoreshastri | October 03, 2007 at 10:43 PM
the championship battle begins. sponsorships and endorsements are in. two runners up and the champion are all padded up and in their boxing shorts....all green.
possibilities of a verdict:
bhutto fights musharraf and wins
or
musharraf fights bhutto and wins
musharraf fights sharif and wins
or
sharif fights musharraf and wins
sharif fights bhutto and wins
or
bhutto fighhts sharif and wins
if sharif loses punjab will cry itself to death
if bhutto loses karachi will cry itself to death
if musharraf loses NWFP and taliban will cry itself to death
with such widespread misery imminent why have the elections at all.
why fix it if it ain't broke.
Posted by: panditjugalkishoreshastri | November 25, 2007 at 11:21 PM
Musharraf "Maula Jut"
by
Mian Zahid Ghani
MZGNNI@aol.com
(732) 213-8967
(732) 348-8118
32-Brighton Way
North Brunswick NJ 08902
General Zia-ul-Haq was appointed Army Chief by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and General Perviaz Musharraf was appointed Army Chief by Nawaz Sharif.
Zial-ul-l Haq superseded 7 generals , Musharraf 9 senior Generals and got the power.
Both Zial-ul-Haq and Musharraf were definitely obliged to their benefactors Bhutto and Sharif.
It was Zia-ul Haq who overthrew Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s government and Musharraf Sharif’s government.
Zia managed to hang Bhutto , whereas Musharraf charged Sharif wanted to hang him but he got life imprisonment.
Now General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani is appointed army chief by Musharraf, he is termed to be close with Musharraf. General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani is one of his loyalists and which is a clear indication that Musharraf would indirectly be controlling the Army.
Will Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani follow policy of his former colleagues (Zia-u-Haq & Musharraf) bring a coup against his benefactor Musharaf ?
Current political conditions in Pakistan is quite worsened, PCO, emergency imposed since November 3, Judiciary and media suppressed, police beating off the protestors stir vigorously lawyers and journalists, for the first time FIR registered against journalists.
Opposition political parties announcing boycott of general elections . Nawaz, Imran Qazi Hussain determined for the boycott whereas Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman Anp wants to contest. Benazir Bhutto who is considered to be of Musharraf’s group having made deals with him creating drama .
Nawaz Sharif election papers rejected , on the ground that he was convicted. He was sentenced life imprisonment but it was forgiven after a deal through Saudi Government but the conviction stands valid.
Qazi Hussain, Nawaz and Imran are the ones echoing one slogan “Go Musharraf GO” .Maulana Fazlu-ur-Rehman is dubious .
There was a famous Punjabi film Maula Jut, with a special dialogue” Maula Noon Maula Naa Maray tay Maula Nahi oon Marda”. Meaning if God does not want to kill Mr Maula , Mr Maula wont die.
Now Musharraf also proved to be Maula Jut after a big crises starting from Waziristan, Bugti, Lal Masjid, Chief Justice sacking in March, he managed to win the presidential elections and took oath for a five year presidentship.
Allah creates means (VASILA) for what is desired to be done.Here General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani might be the vehicle (Mean) to overthrow Musharaf. So no opposition but only (Maulah) Allah can settle with Musharraf.
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Posted by: Mian Zahid Ghani | December 05, 2007 at 09:01 AM