September 12, 2007	Wednesday	Sha'aban 29, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: The Citizens Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) has expressed a deep sense of alarm on the administrative and political developments leading to the deportation of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia on September 10.

The CGEP met here on Tuesday to consider the impact of recent developments on the prospects of free and fair elections and observed that the deportation of Mr Sharif was a clear violation of the letter and spirit of the constitution and the judgment of the Supreme Court.

The meeting felt that it had seriously undermined the prospects for the holding of fair and free elections because it sought to remove from the scene the leader of a mainstream political party.

“One regrettable dimension of this episode is the growing role of foreign powers in Pakistan’s domestic affairs. This has caused damage to the concept of state sovereignty.

“It is a matter of concern that the government and its political affiliates appear to have adopted a confrontational stance towards the superior judiciary. Corresponding to the deportation of Mr Sharif, an unruly crowd led by the leaders of a political party almost besieged the Sindh High Court in Karachi on the same day. This made it impossible for the court to continue its proceedings on the unfortunate incidents of May 12 in Karachi.”

Attempts to terrorise the judiciary were also underlined by the assassination of a senior lawyer, Raja Riaz, in Karachi.