EU appeals for Sharif return

Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif should be allowed to return from exile and be given the chance to defend himself against corruption charges in a Pakistani court, European Union officials said today.

EU spokeswoman Christiane Hohmann told reporters in Brussels that Pakistan's government should respect an August ruling by the country's Supreme Court that Sharif should be allowed to return to Pakistan and that authorities should not obstruct him.

"In our view the Supreme Court ruling is very clear and should be respected," Hohmann said.

"So if there is any legal case against Mr Sharif, he should have a chance to defend himself in a Pakistan court."

The former two-time prime minister was deported to Saudi Arabia today, just hours after he had landed in Pakistan from seven years in exile hoping to campaign against Pakistan's military ruler President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who removed Sharif's elected government from power in a 1999 coup.

He was sent into exile in Saudi Arabia after he was convicted of terrorism and hijacking charges in Pakistan following the coup.

Under a deal with Musharraf, Sharif allegedly promised to stay away for 10 years.