The government is considering the option to deport former premier Nawaz Sharif and arrest his brother, Shahbaz Sharif, following the failure of all efforts to stop them from returning to Pakistan on September 10, sources told Daily Times. The sources said that the action would be in line with the package offered by President Pervez Musharraf to Nawaz through Saad Hariri that the government would accept Shahbaz if Nawaz postponed his schedule for the time being.
They said that another option would be to deport both the Sharifs to Saudi Arabia but this would be against the spirit of the announcements for national reconciliation made by some prominent PML leaders and President Musharraf. “Another option is the arrest of both the Sharifs but this would worsen the political crisis,” the sources said, adding that the government would make a final strategy by Sunday night. The sources said that Nawaz may be offered to return to Pakistan after the presidential and general elections. Meanwhile, the government would continue to develop contacts with Nawaz and Shahbaz for “national reconciliation”.