12 April 2004	Monday	21 Safar 1425

ISLAMABAD, April 11: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and its allied coalition parties appear to be divided on the issue of Shahbaz Sharif's return, with one group not averse to the idea of allowing the exiled leader to come back, and the other being deadly against it, to the extent that it wants his deportation to Jeddah as soon as he lands on the Pakistan's soil.

According to sources in the party, the first group is of the view that it is the best time to test the popularity of the Sharifs, while the other, apparently afraid of their political prowess, wants to keep them away from the country.

Leaders of the PPP-Patriots are also in the forefront, opposed to giving any concession to the PML-N chief. The National Accountability Bureau has also jumped in the fray and its spokesman has started issuing statements about cases pending against the Sharifs which would automatically stand opened on Shahbaz's return.

Speaking to Dawn on Sunday, PML(Q) vice-president Syed Kabir Ali Wasti claimed that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the chief minister of Punjab were in favour of allowing Mr Shahbaz Sharif to return because they were confident of beating the Sharifs in the political arena.

He claimed that Chaudhry Parvaiz had made a big difference with his effective governance in the country's largest province, and thus the Chaudhry's from Gujrat were upbeat about their ability of making inroads into the areas of Sharifs' influence.

He said the party had even advised government leaders not to create any hurdle if Mr Shahbaz Sharif decided to come back. Mr Wasti said the PML-N was facing the difficult question of whether to ask its president to come back or to advise him to postpone his return for the time being.

He challenged the PML-N central working committee to immediately advise their party president to come back if they were confident of achieving anything politically from his return.

"Basic changes have been made in the governance of Punjab and no postings or transfers are made on political grounds; tenants have been given protection and deserving tillers provided with free land", said the PML-Q leader.

Mr Wasti said it was now a test of Shahbaz Sharif's leadership qualities. "Is he ready to endure the hardships of prison or should be keep on delaying his return?" The same group of the PML-Q has also told the Jamali government that the party should have no objection even if a production order was issued in favour of the detained PML-N leader, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, since it should not feel any threat to its popularity if the latter attends National Assembly proceedings.