Former pak PM Nawaz Sharif journey since exile

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former premier Nawaz Sharif on Sunday returned home from exile after being deported to Saudi Arabia on September 10.

Following is the chronology of events relating to former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif's exile:

Oct 12, 1999: Nawaz Sharif ousted from power and placed under house arrest after he tried to sack the then army chief Pervez Musharraf.
   
Oct 15, 1999: Musharraf declares emergency, suspends the constitution and proclaims himself the country's chief executive.
   
Nov 10, 1999: Case of treason and conspiracy to murder registered against Sharif.
   
Nov 18, 1999: Sharif formally arrested and flown to Karachi.

Jan 19, 2000: Sharif and six co-accused, including his brother Shahbaz, charged with abduction, attempted murder, hijacking and terrorism.
   
April 6, 2000: Sharif sentenced to two life-terms, confiscation of his property ordered.
   
May 12, 2000: Hearing begins in a corruption case against Sharif at an anti-graft court in the Attock Fort.
   
June 2, 2000: Judge indicts Sharif on charges of concealing assets and tax evasion for hiding the purchase of Mi8 helicopter in his income tax returns.
   
July 22, 2000: Sharif is sentenced to 14 years and banned from public office for 21 years on corruption charges. Judge also fines him $380,000.

Dec 10, 2000: Sharif is pardoned. Goes into exile in Saudi Arabia with his family.

Feb 12,2001: Saudi Arabia asks Sharif to surrender passport.
   
June 29, 2005: Pakistan asks Sharif's brother Shahbaz to leave country.
   
July 7, 2005: Sharif rules out any deal with Musharraf.

Nov 7, 2006: Pakistan issues passport to Sharif enabling him to travel to London with his sick son.

July 20, 2007: Pakistan Supreme Court reinstates Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary and quashes the charges against him.
   
Aug 3, 2007: Sharif moves apex court for return to Pakistan.
   
Aug 23, 2007: Supreme Court rules Sharif can return from exile.
   
Aug 30, 2007: Sharif announces he will return to Pakistan on September 10.

Sep 7, 2007: Pakistani court orders arrest of Sharif's brother Shahbaz on murder charges. Government asks another court to grant arrest warrant for Nawaz on corruption charges.
   
Sep 10, 2007: Sharif's plane from London touches down at Islamabad airport.
   
Sep 10, 2007: Sharif deported to Jeddah.
   
Sep 20, 2007: Pakistan to hold presidential elections on October 6, its Election Commission announced.
   
Sept 25, 2007: Bhutto party says it will field candidate in election.
   
Sept 27, 2007: Musharraf files nomination papers for a second term as President. Supreme Court orders release of opposition detainees.

Sept 28, 2007: Supreme Court says Musharraf can stand in the election while keeping his position as army chief. Pak SC issues notice to PM Aziz for deporting Sharif.
   
Oct 02, 2007: Musharraf appoints Gen Kiyani to succeed him as Army Chief.

Oct 04, 2007: Pakistan People's Party and the government agrees on a draft agreement that would grant former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto amnesty in corruption cases and allow her to return to the country.
   
Oct 05, 2007: Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that the Presidential poll can be held as scheduled on Oct 06.

Oct 06, 2007: Musharraf wins Prez vote but will have to wait for SC verdict.
   
Oct 17, 2007: Sharif's PML-N party says he should delay his second return bid to Pakistan till November 15, when a neutral caretaker government is expected to be in place to supervise the next year's general election.
   
Oct 18, 2007: In the worst ever terror strike in Pakistan, at least 139 people were killed and over 500 others injured when a suicide bomber targeting former Prime Minister Benzair Bhutto blew himself up during her homecoming but she escaped unhurt.
   
Nov 03, 2007: Musharraf declares emergency, sacks Chief Justice of Supreme Court.
   
Nov 13, 2007: Sharif welcomes Bhutto turning against Musharraf, says opposition should unite.
   
Nov 14, 2007: Sharif says he is ready to work with Bhutto.
   
Nov 20, 2007: President Pervez Musharraf embarked on a brief visit to Saudi Arabia during which he met King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and apparently discussed about the possible return of Sharif.

Nov 24, 2007: Former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif came to an 'understanding' with senior officials ahead of his planned return.

Nov 25, 2007: Sharif returns to Pakistan for a second time from exile.