Pakistan CJ for implementation of order on Sharif

Islamabad, Oct 30 (UNI) Pakistan's chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry today ordered the government to implement the Supreme Court's order on former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's return to the country.

The Court, in its order on August 23, had declared that Nawaz Sharif, the ex-two time industrialist premier, had inalienable right to return and remain in the country as Pakistani citizen.

However, he was deported hours after he arrived here after seven years of exile on September 10. His party filed a contempt petition, praying to the court to ensure return of Sharif, who had gone into exile and settled in Saudi Arabia for ten years in December 2000, one year after he was toppled by President Pervez Musharraf.

''The court's judgement is holding the field and required to be implemented in letter and spirit,'' Chaudhry said.

However, he adjourned the hearing till November 8 after attorney general Malik Muhammad Qayyum said he would have to consult at the highest level.

He said this after Chaudhry accused Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of violating the orders by issuing verbal instructions to foreign secretary on September 9 to make available an aircraft for a VVIP flight to Jeddah.

Foreign secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan personally appeared in the court.

''There is a clear-cut violation and allegations are very serious,'' the CJ said, adding that no less than foreign secretary is coming in the witness box.

He said the attorney general should decide as to who should the court summon for prosecution. ''We are proceeding against the Prime Minister,'' he earlier said but later gave time to the attorney general.

UNI