Pak Govt discussing options to handle Sharif

Islamabad, Sep 1: The Musharraf regime is deliberating on four options to handle exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before, or after he returns to Pakistan.

Confusion still prevails in government circles with regard to the tricky issue.

As a last resort, a person no less than President Pervez Musharraf is planning to engage in a concerted diplomatic effort to block Sharif"s homecoming.

Sharif had not joined his brother, Shahbaz, out of the blue in filing his own separate petition in the Supreme Court without taking the consent of his foreign friends, who had helped to seek his release from prison way back in 2000, sources said.

Indeed, it would be politically suicidal for Sharif not to return when he has the backing of the apex court.

The government"s diplomatic effort apparently has little or no prospects of succeeding.

The second option, under consideration in official quarters, is to completely thwart or at least, considerably whittle down the crowd that is expected to gather to welcome him on his return.

"The mindset to use force may work again, without realising its fallout," a Pakistan minister said on condition of anonymity.

"We tried to conquer the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court without anticipating the consequences of the attack," he said.

"And we destroyed ourselves greatly. We are unlikely to overcome this colossal damage," he added.

The third option being pressed for by saner elements in official circles is to let Nawaz and Shahbaz come back and allow them to lead the procession to Lahore and to take part in the politics of Pakistan in a normal fashion.

"We know that Sharif would be a threat for Musharraf and the PML-Q whether he is in jail, or out of it. His mere presence in Pakistan would be too ominous for all of us," another minister said.

He said putting Sharif in jail might ignite a public agitation, which the government may not be able to check.

The fourth option that is being pursued by some hawkish elements in the government is to deport the Sharifs immediately after their arrival.

However, such an extreme step would be clearly seen as contempt of the Supreme Court"s ruling, The News reported.

ANI
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