Nawaz Sharif deported to Saudi Arabia

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been deported once again to Saudi Arabia, according to reports, suggesting that General Musharraf and the military running the country is not ready to move towards democracy in the country.

It appears the current government will not concede to democratic parties unless there are certain guarantees that the general and the military can perpetuate their control.

A problem with Pakistan since its independence has been the political role of the military. Sharif has talked about getting the military out of politics, though for a while he was set up by the military against Benazir Bhutto.

It is unlikely that the US will intervene in favor of the democratic parties, as in its war against terror, it finds Musharraf and the military more supine at this point. The US is likely to renew efforts to broker an agreement between Musharraf and Bhutto that will ensure the continuation of Musharraf as President.

The moves by Sharif, including his arrest and deportation at the Islamabad airport, are expected to boost his image domestically among the growing number of Musharraf detractors. His political objectives would have been partially met to that extent.
Bhutto in contrast may have lost face for her attampts to parley with Musharraf.