RIYADH, Dec 1: Is Mian Nawaz Sharif and his family about to leave Saudi Arabia, where they first landed after a deal (which the Sharifs deny) with the Musharraf government, brokered by the Saudi royal family?

Some reports say that the Sharifs are already packing up for London, their next possible sojourn, where many believe the Sharifs would have a freer hand to continue politicking.

News emanating from different quarters indicate that as per the original deal, the Sharifs were required to stay within the Kingdom for at least two years, before they could move out somewhere. While in the Kingdom, as per the presumed agreement, they were not allowed to engage themselves in active politics.

It seems Nawaz and his family are taking a leaf out of Benazir’s strategy. Benazir avoids taking part in active politics while in Dubai.

She uses London as her political base camp, where she indulges in politics of all kinds, mostly not to Islamabad’s liking.

In case, the Sharifs adopt an exit strategy from Saudi Arabia, it seems they might also divide their time between Jeddah and London just as BB does.

After all Sharifs have now business interests in the Kingdom. They are reportedly putting up an steel mill in Abhur, some 70 kilometres south of Jeddah. One of Nawaz Sharif’s son is looking after this and their other business interests in the Kingdom.

When contacted by this correspondent yesterday both Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, in separate discussions were not ready to confirm the news.

Before talking to this correspondent Nawaz Sharif was in a meeting with a senior member of the Saudi royal family member. When asked what the meeting was about, Nawaz simply said: “They sometimes come over to see me.”