The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC online

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has filed nomination papers for the country's general elections, but insists he may boycott the poll.

Sharif says he will not stand for election unless President Pervez Musharraf lifts the state of emergency.

Benazir Bhutto has now filed papers for three parliamentary seats. There are signs that Gen Musharraf will step down as head of the army and be sworn in for another term as president this week.

Sharif, who was toppled by Gen Musharraf in 1999, returned to Pakistan on Sunday after seven years in exile.

There were jubilant scenes as cheering supporters met him at Lahore airport.

He handed in his nomination papers in Lahore for two seats in January's general elections on Monday, the closing date. Benazir Bhutto, another former prime minister who recently returned to Pakistan, filed a nomination paper on Sunday for one of the seats reserved for women.

On Monday she filed papers in her Larkana constituency for two regular seats. She, too, has left open the possibility of a boycott. Sharif's return to Pakistan on Sunday was his second attempt in the past three months to end his exile. The last time, in September, he was deported within hours of his arrival. The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Lahore says it is believed that Gen Musharraf is hoping that Sharif will be able to dent Benazir Bhutto's prospects in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Correspondents say there are signs that the Ministry of Defence will soon officially announce that Gen Musharraf will step down as head of the army in the next few days.

He has come under intense international pressure to make the move before taking his oath of office for a second term as president.

Nawaz Sharif told cheering crowds on Sunday that his return was "not the result of any deal" with Gen Musharraf, referring to reports that he had come home under an arrangement with the military ruler. "My deal is with you, the people of Pakistan," he said.

Sharif also said that emergency conditions imposed by General Musharraf on 3 November were "not conducive" to free and fair elections.