Pak SC allows Sharif's return

Can lead his party to polls: Musharraf.

The supreme Court in Pakistan has allowed former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif to return home after seven years in exile.

The decision is being perceived as yet another setback to the embattled president Pervez Musharraf. The decision also paves the way for the return of Sharif,58, to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections

The unanimous landmark verdict was given by a seven-member Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The court gave similar relief to Sharif's brother Shabaz who had also sought the court's intervention. The Sharif brothers were exiled to Saudi Arabia a year after they were ousted by Army chief General Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup in October 1999.

"The Sharifs can return to Pakistan unhindered," Justice Chaudhry said in the judgment. "They have an inalienable right to return and remain in the country as citizens of Pakistan."

"Their safe return/entry into the country will not be restricted, hampered or obstructed by the federal governments or provincial governments or any other agencies in any manner," Chaudhry added.

Sharif, who is currently in London, hailed the verdict, telling newsmen, "It is a victory for democracy, rule of law and a defeat for the dictatorship."

The deposed premier said he wanted to return to Pakistan "as soon as possible" and that a decision would be taken by his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party and other allies.

Speaking in a television programme, Musharraf said Sharif could return home, claiming he had gone into exile on his own. "Sharif is the head of a political party and can lead his party to elections," the general said. He also emphasised that political reconciliation and national consensus on issues confronting the country was the need of the hour.