Nawaz vows to contest elections to oust Musharraf

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said that he intended to return home as soon as possible and contest elections to oust President Pervez Musharraf from power.

London, Aug 24 : Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said that he intended to return home "as soon as possible" and contest elections to oust President Pervez Musharraf from power.

"It is the beginning of the end of Musharraf. Our party is preparing to contest the elections and I am very much part and parcel of my party," Sharif told a news conference here.

"I will be campaigning. I will be leading the campaign," he said.

Sharif said the Supreme Court's verdict in his favour was a victory for democracy, the rule of law and the Constitution.

Commenting on his return to Pakistan, he said decision would be taken after consulting with party's leadership and the newly formed All Parties Democratic Movement.

It was up to his party and the APDM to decide whether he and Benazir Bhutto would return together, he added.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday gave a landmark verdict, paving the way for former Prime Minister Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif to return home and contest in the forthcoming general elections.

Announcing the verdict, the apex court observed that the Sharif brothers are Pakistanis, and can participate in the national politics after coming back.

In a brief judgement, the court said that under Article 3 of the Constitution, no citizen of the country can be stopped from his or her return to home, the Daily Times reported.

ANI