FAISALABAD, Aug 5: The ruling PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said former premier Nawaz Sharif should come back to Pakistan. He was talking to reporters at the residence of the city district naib nazim, Mian Amjad Yasin, whom he visited to condole the death of MNA Ms Riffat Amjad who died in China a couple of days ago. Mr Hussain categorically rejected the impression that the government wanted a deal with Ms Bhutto. “We are not intent on any deal with Ms Bhutto. However, the government has offered her some relief.”

Answering a question, the PML chief said the present regime was on a strong footing and its “derailment” was out of the question.

To a question about the return of former premier Nawaz Sharif, Mr Shujaat said there was no restriction on his return to the country. “He can take any flight. But how he will be treated, it will be decided on the occasion.”

He said no decision had been taken to remove the graduation bar for elections. “Election will be conducted on time and I am not going to hold the seat of caretaker prime minister,” he told another questioner.

He said Sheikh Rashid Ahmad would not join the PPP whereas former premier Zafarullah Khan Jamali had already parted ways with the PML.