Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said the government did not force former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to return to Saudi Arabia, adding it was his 'own choice'. "We did not force him (Nawaz Sharif) to return. I have been told that he was given two options - either to go to prison or proceed to Saudi Arabia", the Prime Minister said in a live interview with CNBC television.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the Sharifs' agreement with Saudi Arabia and said the promises made by them should have been fulfilled. He said there was an agreement between Sharifs and King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, under which they had gone into exile for ten years.
When asked about the details of Sharif's return to Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister said, legal facts and details of the issue would be uncovered. To a question as if the return of Nawaz Sharif could be a contempt of court, the Prime Minister said as the matter is subjudice, "let's the court decide."
He, however, added that the government has lot of respects for the judiciary, which is one of important pillars of the state including parliament and the executive, having an important role.
To another question as if Nawaz Sharif would be allowed to take part in the next general elections, he said, such decisions are taken by the election commission. The Prime Minister said the elections would be free, fair and transparent, adding, with a free press in place the local and international observers would also be allowed to monitor the elections.
About talks with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, he said, "it was part of a national political reconciliation" and the government was in contact with all political parties to achieve this objective. To a question, he rejected the notion that talks with PPP had any negative impact on PML(Q) and said "the talks have not yet reached a final stage."
Asked as if Benazir Bhutto could face any legal cases upon her arrival, the Prime Minister said, "nobody is above the law and the law will take its course."