What might await exiled ex-PM in Pakistan

FACTBOX: What might await exiled ex-PM in PakistanFri Aug 31, 2007 11:22PM EDT

(Reuters) - Exiled former Pakistani leader Nawaz Sharif said in London on Thursday he would return home on September 10 to challenge military leader President Pervez Musharraf.

Musharraf overthrew Sharif in a 1999 coup. Sharif was later given a life sentence on a hijacking charge related to his refusal to allow landing rights to an airliner carrying Musharraf back from Sri Lanka, despite it being short of fuel.

The government said Sharif was allowed to go into exile in 2000 after agreeing to stay out of the country for 10 years. But he denied any such agreement and successfully petitioned the Supreme Court to clear the way for his return.

Following are scenarios of what might await Sharif if he returns:

-- He could be deported upon arrival, as his brother, Shahbaz, was on May 11, 2004.

Shahbaz, who is also an exiled politician facing criminal charges and also aims to come back on September 10, flew into Lahore on a scheduled flight in 2004.

Police served him with an arrest warrant at the airport before putting him on an unscheduled Pakistan International Airways flight to Saudi Arabia. He spent less than 90 minutes in the country.

-- He could be arrested.

Following the August 23 court ruling that Nawaz Sharif and his brother had an "inalienable right" to come back, Attorney General Malik Abdul Qayyum said if the agreement on the 10-year exile was considered void, Nawaz Sharif could face the prison term he avoided by leaving.

An anti-corruption court has reopened three cases against Sharif and will resume its hearing on September 7. The complaints relate to a paper mill, a foundry and some real estate, the state news agency reported.

-- He could be allowed to proceed as planned.

Sharif told reporters in London he would fly into Islamabad airport and would then travel to the nearby city of Rawalpindi, where the army has its headquarters.

From there he said he aimed to travel by road to the eastern city of Lahore, 300 km (200 miles) to the southeast. Lahore is Sharif's powerbase and the nerve centre of Pakistani politics.

Supporters are bound to accompany him on the journey and party faithful will mob his convoy as he passes though towns. His journey would likely take much longer than the usual four hours.