LAHORE, March 21: The Sharif family has started disposing of its assets in Saudi Arabia as arrangements for its departure from the kingdom ?enter final stages after a green signal from Riyadh?, it is learnt. Diplomatic sources say the Sharifs sold out one of their two industrial units in the kingdom a couple of weeks ago to prepare for settling down most probably in London. The sources claim the Saudi authorities have written almost thrice to the Pakistan government for issuance of passports to the Sharifs but the latter has not responded.
Riyadh is, however, happy with its Pakistani guests for honouring commitment about not taking part in politics for at least first three years of their exile. Former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and his family had been banished to Saudi Arabia by Gen Pervez Musharraf?s regime in December 2000.
The Sharifs are also evaluating, though reluctantly, the prospects of travelling out of the kingdom on Saudi passports if Pakistan authorities refuse to issue them the documents, sources in the Pakistan Muslim League-N say. Mian Shahbaz Sharif, the younger brother of the exiled prime minister and former Punjab chief minister, is active in London seeking permission of the UK authorities for a longer stay of the family there, the sources say.
They recall that the UK administration, under pressure of the Pakistan government, had asked Mian Shahbaz to leave the country when he was staying there on return from New York after getting medical treatment last year. He, then, took a flight from London and made an abortive attempt to land in Lahore on May 11, 2004, as Pakistan authorities again banished him to Riyadh.
Confirming contacts between Riyadh and Islamabad on the passports issue, PML-N secretary-general Iqbal Zafar Jhaggra said Mian Nawaz was insisting that being a Pakistani he had every right to get travel documents of his homeland.
Asked if Mian Nawaz?s reluctance to get Saudi passport was right, Mr Jhaggra said: ?Yes. He must seek Pakistani passport, ignoring the advantages that can be availed by immediately moving out of Saudi Arabia.?
Riyadh is, however, happy with its Pakistani guests for honouring commitment about not taking part in politics for at least first three years of their exile. Former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and his family had been banished to Saudi Arabia by Gen Pervez Musharraf?s regime in December 2000.
The Sharifs are also evaluating, though reluctantly, the prospects of travelling out of the kingdom on Saudi passports if Pakistan authorities refuse to issue them the documents, sources in the Pakistan Muslim League-N say. Mian Shahbaz Sharif, the younger brother of the exiled prime minister and former Punjab chief minister, is active in London seeking permission of the UK authorities for a longer stay of the family there, the sources say.
They recall that the UK administration, under pressure of the Pakistan government, had asked Mian Shahbaz to leave the country when he was staying there on return from New York after getting medical treatment last year. He, then, took a flight from London and made an abortive attempt to land in Lahore on May 11, 2004, as Pakistan authorities again banished him to Riyadh.
Confirming contacts between Riyadh and Islamabad on the passports issue, PML-N secretary-general Iqbal Zafar Jhaggra said Mian Nawaz was insisting that being a Pakistani he had every right to get travel documents of his homeland.
Asked if Mian Nawaz?s reluctance to get Saudi passport was right, Mr Jhaggra said: ?Yes. He must seek Pakistani passport, ignoring the advantages that can be availed by immediately moving out of Saudi Arabia.?