Sharif deportation: Pak SC notice to Aziz

The Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and several other top officials seeking their explanation on the deportation of former premier Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia in violation of a court order allowing his return.

A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikar M Chaudhry asked Aziz, interior minister, top police and aviation officials to file their response to the contempt petitions filed by Sharif's nephew Hamza Sharif alleging that the government had deported the PML-N leader despite court orders and sought a judicial order for his return.

Issuing the notices, Justice Chaudhry said the court would ascertain whether Sharif had been sent to Jeddah on his own or deported and whether the exit seal was stamped on his passport.

He fixed October 17 as the date for the next hearing before which he wanted the respondents to file their replies. After deportation, the government claimed that Sharif was sent back on his own will which was questioned by Hamza Sharif, who alleged his uncle was forcibly deported.

Referring to the Presidential polls in which President Pervez Musharraf is seeking re-election, Chaudhry said, "Whether it is good or bad, I am happy to see the process of elections taking place in the country." Sharif was deported to London hours after he arrived on September 10 on a Pakistan International Airline (PIA) plane.

Though he was armed with a Supreme Court order directing the government not to obstruct his homecoming in anyway, he was deported on the ground that he went on exile on a signed deal with Saudi Arabia under which he and his family would remain in exile in Jeddah for 10 years.

Reacting to the court's order, PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq said Sharif was forcibly deported after he was arrested and his passport stamped by immigration officials.

"The party looked forward to a court order which would enable his return as well as punishment for top leaders of the government who flouted the court orders and deported its leader," he said.
Besides, Sharif's nephew, a British Parliamentarian of Pakistani origin, Lord Nazir Ahmed, who travelled with Sharif, filed an affidavit in the court alleging that the PML-N leader was deported against his will.

"I was the negotiator. At no stage did Sharif approve anything what is alleged by the authorities. This is why I am here at the Supreme Court, seeking justice. Frankly it was outrageous. None of the ministers or high officials were present," Ahmed said