Sharif to end exile before poll deadline

By Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad and George Parker in Kampala

Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's former prime minister, will return home in the next few days, opposition leaders and Pakistani officials said last night. The move comes as general Pervez Musharraf, the country's military ruler, faces mounting international pressure to lift the state of emergency and restore democracy.

The Commonwealth became the first international body to suspend Pakistan since Gen Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on November 3, prompting opposition within the country and abroad. "Every country that has been suspended will say we didn't understand the circumstances prevailing in the country at the time." said Don McKinnon, Commonwealth secretary-general.