JEDDAH, Sept 4: A Saudi government spokesman on Tuesday denied press reports claiming that Saudi Arabia supported the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family to Pakistan and said that Riyadh expected Mr Sharif to abide by his pledge of not returning to Pakistan and not taking part in politics.

The spokesman made the comment in response to reports carried by some Pakistani newspapers on Saturday claiming that Saudi Arabia was happy over Mr Sharif’s return. “These reports are totally baseless,” the source said.

The source said Saudi Arabia received Mr Sharif after he was removed from the post of prime minister in 1999, as a humanitarian gesture with the cooperation of government of Pakistan and President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, reflecting the strong relations between the two countries.

“Contrary to reports that have been published, wisdom demands from Mr Nawaz Sharif to abide by his pledge of not returning to Pakistan and politics,” the source said.