Sharif Exile for Better Politics, Musharraf Says

Pakistan's Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf has said the decision to exile deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif would usher in a new era of hatred-free politics and reconciliation.

Addressing the nation over radio and television networks on Wednesday night, Musharraf emphatically stated that the exile of Sharif was not a decision in panic but a step to break the existing "politics of hatred" in the country.

The deposed prime minister, who had been found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, was pardoned the rest of his imprisonment and left Pakistan on December 10.

During the last 12 years, top leadership of the country's two major political parties, Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), "indulged in the politics of hatred, money, lust and plunder," Musharraf observed.

He said Pakistan's economy suffered much from the inconsistency in policies as a result of the two parties' politics.

Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, president of PML and PPP respectively, ousted each other from the post of prime minister during the past years. Bhutto had been in exile when Sharif ruled the country.

The exile of Nawaz Sharif will "lead to a new era of hatred- free politics and politics of reconciliation where the loser will congratulate the winner and play the role of constructive political opposition for the development of the country bringing in the political harmony," Musharraf envisaged.

He further said he was confident that the decision will improve Pakistan's international image and investment climate.

According to the chief executive, Sharif and his family sent appeals to President Rafiq Tarar for pardon and the president converted Sharif's imprisonment sentence into 10 years' exile in accordance with the constitution.

"The decision was perfectly a legal action," he said.

Nawaz Sharif will remain disqualified for public office for 21 years and 70 percent of his family's property will be confiscated, Musharraf added.






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