Pak bookies sure Sharif will not return

Bookies in Pakistan are sure that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not return.

Karachi, Sep 6 : Bookies in Pakistan are sure that "former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not return."

The rate given by bookies in the gambling market was 1:10 - 1 for the return of Sharif and 10 for not returning.

Farooq Cheema, an expert in bookie affairs, said there is a 10 per cent chance of Sharif returning to Islamabad on September 10.

"Bookies keep on changing their rates, as speculations in the media change," Cheema said.

"The high rate for Sharif not returning to the country might be the result of news in the media about his deportation by the Musharraf regime," he added.

He said if television channels in Pakistan start telecasting statements of the Sharif's camp about his determination to return to the country come what may, the current rate would change in Sharif's favour.

Meanwhile, PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal said this might be the result of rumours spread by the government agencies in the media.

The News quoted Iqbal as saying that the government has been pressurising the Sharif brothers not to return to Pakistan.

"They are making appeals to friendly countries to convince the Sharifs not to return until a particular time," he added.

He said the return of Sharifs would mean the death of dictatorship in the country.

Iqbal said the gambling market rates were not so important as to merit a discussion.

ANI