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K J M Varma in Islamabad
Family members of Shahbaz Sharief, brother of deposed Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharief, whose arrival in Lahore a few days ago had surprised the government and the media alike, have returned to Saudi Arabia following orders from the authorities.
Shahbaz's wife, Nusarat, and his two daughters were asked by the government to leave the country, failing which they were to be arrested, sources in Pakistan Muslim League said.
Following the directive, Nusarat and her daughters took the first available flight to Jeddah on Thursday, where the Shariefs were living in exile.
Before leaving Lahore, Nusarat denied having given an interview to the media indicating plans to stay on in the country, as was alleged by the government.
"I came here to enquire about the health of my parents, but the fake press reports made my stay difficult in Pakistan. I have no political agenda at all since I am a housewife," she said.
Meanwhile, the media reported that the interior ministry was preparing fresh cases against Shahbaz for alleged excesses committed by him when he was the chief minister of Punjab Province, before the fall of Sharief government in October 12, 1999.
PTI
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