Saudi pressure may see Musharraf to go scot-free, Sharif not contest elections till 2010India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not contest the upcoming Punjab election, as part of a deal struck between him and Pervez Musharraf under the guarantee of Saudi King Shah Abdullah. According to the Daily Times, the 2000 deal prevents the PML-N chief from contesting elections or participating in Pakistan's politics till 2010. The paper quoted the Online agency as saying that during a recent meeting with the Saudi king, Sharif was advised to honour his agreement with Musharraf if he wanted to maintain his friendship with the king. In another breakthrough move, the Pakistan Government has decided not to take any action against former president Pervez Musharraf and has clearly told Sharif about it. Sharif has reportedly decided against returning to Pakistan due to these developements. However, PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said that reports of the Saudi King's intervention were baseless. "Media reports about any restriction on Mr Nawaz Sharif from contesting polls till 2010 are baseless and part of a disinformation campaign against Mr Sharif and his party," he said. He claimed that Saudi king had not asked Sharif to stay away from elections and taking part in the polls was a constitutional right of the PML-N chief. "There was no agreement between Nawaz Sharif and Musharraf and it was only an understanding between Sharif and the Saudi royal family," he added.