Pakistan has original Nawaz-Saudi deal document: OIC observer

An observer of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has claimed that the original copy of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Nawaz Sharif has been forwarded to the Pakistan Government through sources.

Kuwait, Aug.23 : An observer of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has claimed that the original copy of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Nawaz Sharif has been forwarded to the Pakistan Government through sources.

Talking to Geo News here, OIC observer Muhammad Faisal said that the original document was earlier in the possession of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

He said Nawaz Sharif had inked a 10-year deal with the Saudi Government to stay away from Pakistan's affairs. The Saudi Government had in turn got a verbal assurance from Pakistani Government not to prosecute Sharif during this period.

Faisal said Saudi Arabia has lost interest in the matter after demise of King Fahd in 2005. The Government of Pakistan has now received the documents and would use the same in forthcoming elections, he added.

On Wednesday, the Pakistan Government submitted a copy of the exile deal signed with Sharif in the year 2000 before the Supreme Court, and argued that the politician should not be allowed to return. The copy does not specifically mention the Government of Saudi Arabia as a party to the deal.

According to the documents placed before the apex court, the Sharif Brothers agreed to remain outside the country for ten years and promised not to take part in any kind of political activities.

Sharif and his brother have filed a constitutional petition asking for the right to return back to their country.

Though Sharif has denied of having inked any agreement with the Pervez Musharraf government, the agreement released today shows, Sharif stating: "I, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, accept the help by a personality for negotiation for the release from imprisonment in Pakistan. I am satisfied with this whole process of the negotiation."

After making the deal, Sharif went to Saudi Arabia to live in exile, but soon shifted to London from where he started making statements relating to domestic politics of Pakistan, and announced that he would return to Islamabad before the holding of the general elections.

ANI