Ex-Premier of Pakistan Exiled to Saudi Arabia

Deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been released from jail and exiled to Saudi Arabia, the military government said early today, more than a year after it toppled his administration in a coup.

“This decision has been taken in the best interest of the country and people of Pakistan,” the government said in a statement carried by the state-run news agency.

Army ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who overthrew Sharif’s elected government, said the ousted premier’s life sentence for hijacking and kidnapping--convictions connected with the October 1999 coup--had been commuted, as had a 14-year prison term for tax evasion. Sharif must still forfeit property valued at $100 million and pay a $500,000 fine.

Sharif left for Saudi Arabia early today in a special Saudi plane, a source in his Pakistan Muslim League party said.

“Pakistan will never be far from our hearts,” said Sharif’s wife, Kulsoom. “We pray that our countrymen will be prosperous, and whenever Nawaz Sharif’s health is better, we will come back.”

Earlier, Pakistani Information Secretary Anwar Mahmood said that Sharif had asked permission to leave the country for medical treatment.

Sharif’s party distributed a list of 18 family members leaving for Saudi Arabia with the ex-premier. They included Sharif’s elderly parents, his three children and their families.