ISLAMABAD, July 8: Information and Media Development Minister Nisar Memon has ruled out the possibility of Shahbaz Sharif’s return to the country.

“He has gone to Saudi Arabia along with about 25 other members of the Sharif family under an arrangement made on their request for a period of 10 years.

“Therefore, the question of anybody’s return from that country simply does not arise,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

The minister observed that in case Shahbaz Sharif chose to return in violation of the arrangement, he would not be allowed to enter the country. He recalled that sometime back Shahbaz Sharif’s wife had come to Pakistan but she had been immediately sent back to Saudi Arabia.

He said there were two cases of money laundering and loan default against the Sharif family and added that in one case alone, involving Rs1.7 billion default, Shahbaz Sharif was a co-accused.

The minister said that political activities were not allowed in Saudi Arabia and recent statements by Shahbaz Sharif were indicative of the fact that he was violating the Saudi law of which the Saudi government would take notice. These statements, he said, were apparently made in desperation to secure political survival.

The minister hoped that the announcement would put to rest all speculations about Shahbaz Sharif’s return to the country.

Benazir Bhutto, the minister pointed out, had gone abroad in self-exile and thus could return home any time.

“She went out with the permission of the court but subsequently, (she) did not appear in the court proceedings despite summons, and thus has been declared convicted by the court,” he maintained.

The minister made it clear that in case Ms Bhutto opted to return, she would be arrested and proceeded against in accordance with the law of land.