Pakistan ruling could dent Musharraf's plan-paper

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (Reuters) Pakistani newspapers welcomed today a Supreme Court ruling that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif can return home, saying the decision would have far-reaching consequences in an election year.

Sharif, a two-time prime minister, has been in exile since 2000.

The previous year, army chief General Pervez Musharraf overthrew him in a bloodless coup that was widely welcomed.

Sharif told reporters in London yesterday he would return as soon as possible to contest elections.

His return is likely to complicate efforts by President Musharraf to secure another term as leader of the nuclear armed country that is vital to US efforts to defeat terrorism and pacify Afghanistan.

Musharraf intends to seek re-election from the national and provincial assemblies between mid-September and mid-October and hold parliamentary elections within months.

''The verdict ... has the potential to severely dent the president's re-election plan,'' the News, the country's biggest selling English-language newspaper, said in an editorial.

While boosting prospects for Sharif and his faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Nawaz), the ruling could hurt another former prime minister in exile, Benazir Bhutto, who has been negotiating a power-sharing deal with Musharraf, newspapers said.

''This turn in the situation has put Ms Benazir Bhutto and her Pakistan People's Party in an awkward position,'' the Dawn newspaper said.

''In the present circumstances, her secret meeting with President Pervez Musharraf and the deal she now acknowledges she was negotiating with him will not exactly add to her popularity.'' The News also said the ruling put any deal between the president and Bhutto in jeopardy. Many members of her party believe she should not be in talks with Musharraf.

Meanwhile, Sharif, who has allied himself with conservative religious parties, has steadfastedly refused to have any dealings with Musharraf.

Musharraf has yet to react publicly to the ruling but yesterday he spoke of the need for reconciliation. But such comments are unlikely to allay fears he may impose an emergency even though he has ruled that out.

The uncertainty has hit Pakistani stocks, which have lost about 13 percent this month. The main index fell 1.63 per cent early today but recovered on bargain-hunting.

''SOLE CHALLENGER'' Newspapers, that have enjoyed more freedom under Musharraf than they did under Sharif, said the court ruling had put the exiled leader centre-stage in Pakistani politics.

''The judgement has catapulted him into the limelight as the sole challenger to the unpopular General Musharraf,'' the Daily Times said.

The ruling also cleared the way for the return of Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, also a senior PML-N leader. Their power-base is Punjab, the country' richest and most populous province.

''Their conduct in recent months, particularly their refusal to budge from a position fervently opposed to the president ...

together with the PPP's apparent deal-making pursuits has made the Sharif brothers look principled,'' the News said. ''Arguably, they remain the most potent political force in Punjab.'' Nawaz Sharif was convicted on graft charges and also sentenced to life in prison for ordering landing rights to be refused to an aircraft carrying Musharraf and 197 passengers, despite it being short of fuel. The army launched a coup to save its chief while he was still in the air.

Sharif went to Saudi Arabia after the government said he agreed to 10 years exile. But he denied any such agreement and filed a petition to secure his return.

The attorney-general said yesterday if he came back, Sharif might have to face the prison term he avoided by leaving. He also still faces corruption charges.

The Daily Times said he would likely face arrest.

''But given the mood of the Supreme Court he should expect to be bailed out soon enough. That will make him seem even more invincible.'' REUTERS SKB PM1345