'Nawaz Sharif asked not to return to Pak'

Islamabad, Aug 30: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had been asked by an 'eminent personality', who is a friend of Pakistan, to honour his commitment of not returning to the country before the end of 10 years of exile.

''Therefore, I also urge him to abide by the agreement,'' Dawn newspaper today quoted Gen Musharraf, as he told a gathering in Pind Dadan Khan town south of Islamabad.

Pakistan's Supreme Court had last week allowed Sharif to return and remain in the country as Pakistani citizen.

Without naming Nawaz Sharif, the president said: ''He had entered into a written agreement with a 'very eminent personality', a great friend and well-wisher of Pakistan, and the said person has given him a message not to violate the agreement. And he should also show character and not violate the agreement.'' Mr Sharif was sentenced for life and has pleaded the 'eminent personality' to save him and had gone abroad for ten years to avoid the imprisonment.

He said that there was a need to improve the law and order situation before elections. He said that in the election year, it was vital for the nation to understand the threats which the country was facing and develop political and national reconciliation.

UNI