|
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
Send us your comments
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Gulf News may edit comments for length and clarity but will not change the tone of the message. Comments will only be accepted all if fields (including name) are filled correctly and the message isn't abusive, defamatory or offensive. The Gulf News website will only print your first name along with your comment. Please state in the message if you wish to remain anonymous. All comments sent may be forwarded for use in the Gulf News newspaper.
|
