Pakistan’s ex-opposition leader set to return

Musharraf's 'softened' approach
Musharraf has insisted that Sharif stay out of Pakistan until after the vote, which the West hopes will produce a moderate government able to turn the tide against Islamic militants who have gained ground along the border with Afghanistan.

Speculation that Saudi Arabia wanted Sharif to go home had been rife since Musharraf made a surprise trip to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, for talks with King Abdullah on Tuesday.

An official in Musharraf’s office told the AP the general had “softened” his approach toward Sharif.

“The hope is that he (Sharif) will not act like Benazir Bhutto who is following the politics of confrontation,” said the official. “If he agrees to do it, he will be allowed to return home even before the elections.”

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue, said associates of Sharif and Musharraf were in touch to explore how they could end their feud.

High court removes barriers to continued rule
Sharif’s plan to return was first announced Thursday, hours after the Supreme Court, now packed with judges loyal to Musharraf, swept away the last legal obstacles to a new five-year term for him as president.

The ruling meant Musharraf could meet another key demand by resigning his military post and governing as a civilian.

The court gave Musharraf until Dec. 1 to step down from his dual role as army chief and take the oath of office as a civilian president, Attorney General Malik Mohammed Qayyum told the AP.

Qayyum has said Musharraf could quit his army post as early as this weekend, although no date has been set. The general has repeatedly pledged to give up his military position by the end of the month.

On Friday, the court also declared Musharraf’s seizure of emergency powers legal.

Pakistan was last kicked out of the Commonwealth in 1999 after Musharraf seized power in a coup, ousting Sharif. It took the country five years to be reinstated.

State-run Pakistan Television read out a message of support for Musharraf from a key ally, his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, who said he “completely” understood the president’s efforts to stabilize Pakistan.

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