LONDON, Sept 11: Reacting sharply to the deportation of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia by the government, the British government and the Commonwealth have severely criticised the action in separate statements.

The British government said that it was concerned on the development and was seeking clarification of the circumstances under which this took place.

A spokesman of the Foreign and Commonwealth office talking to Dawn on Tuesday said that the British government had also called upon the government of Pakistan to respect the normal democratic process including the role of the superior courts and to ensure that due process was followed.

“We strongly support a level-playing field for fair and free elections in Pakistan that allows full participation of all political parties and their leaders,” he added.

The spokesman said the British government wanted to see a prosperous, peaceful, secure and stable Pakistan and “that is in the interest of the people of Pakistan.”

The spokesman added: “We are concerned about the latest developments in Pakistan and we call upon the government of Pakistan to ensure that due legal and judicial process is followed and the rule of law upheld.”

A spokesperson of the Commonwealth Secretariat said that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was entitled to be dealt with by the courts of law in that country.

Responding to a query about the former Prime Minister’s deportation from Pakistan on Monday, Eduardo del Buey, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, recalled the ruling of the Supreme Court of August 23, 2007, recognising Mr Sharif’s right to return to his country.

“The rule of law and due process must be respected,” Mr del Buey said. “These are important political values, to which all Commonwealth governments have repeatedly affirmed their commitment.”