Sharif Barred From January Vote

Azhar Masood, Arab News

LAHORE, 4 December 2007 — Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Nawaz Sharif was barred by the Election Commission yesterday from taking part in the Jan. 8 election as the former prime minister continued his quest for an opposition boycott of the vote by meeting Pakistan People’s Party leader Benazir Bhutto in Islamabad.

In the morning, Sharif was disqualified from the elections, with the elections body citing his criminal record as the reason for the rejection. Sharif, who returned from seven years of exile on Nov. 25, says the convictions secured against him in the wake of his removal were politically motivated.

Sharif brushed off his disqualification by an election official in Lahore, and vowed to fight on against what he called dictatorship. “Let them reject the nominations ... 10 times or even 100 times. I will serve the people with much more vigor and resolve,” he told his supporters.

Sharif’s party was quick to blame President Pervez Musharraf for the turn of events. “Musharraf is responsible ... This is the most blatant form of rigging possible,” said Sharif’s spokesman, Nadir Chaudri.

The PML-N was already put in a fix when election officials barred Sharif’s brother, Shahbaz, from running last week, citing financial irregularities.

Sharif, asked if he would appeal against his disqualification, said: “That amounts to recognizing the courts which Musharraf has recently constituted which we don’t consider legitimate.”

Despite the latest setback, Sharif met Benazir for talks late yesterday to discuss whether to boycott the Jan. 8 general election.

Sharif arrived at Benazir’s house in Islamabad after flying in from Lahore, but he did not speak to waiting media. “They will discuss whether or not to boycott upcoming elections,” Farhatullah Babar, a spokesman for Benazir’s party, said earlier.

Sharif and his allies, including the second biggest religious party and the party of former cricket hero Imran Khan, say taking part in the election would legitimize Musharraf’s unconstitutional moves to hold on to power.

Sharif is demanding that Musharraf reinstates the judges he dismissed after he declared emergency rule on Nov. 3.