Challenging the deportation of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his family on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking contempt proceedings against the Pakistan government. Sharif's family members also demanded that the exiled leader, who was deported to Jeddah unceremoniously on Monday, be recalled.

Sharif's nephew Hamza Shabaz said that he has filed two petitions in the apex court urging it to initiate contempt proceedings against the government for flouting the Supreme Court's August 23 judgement. The apex court had granted Sharif the permission to return to Pakistan and participate in the forthcoming elections.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherbao, top officials of the National Accountability Bureau and Rawalpindi Police have been named respondents in the petition.

The petitioner also sought a direction for Sharif's recall. The former prime minister was deported on Monday, within four hours of his return from London [Images] after a seven-year exile. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has been made the respondent in the second plea.

The petitions are expected to be heard by the court on Wednesday.

Sharif's lawyer Kwaza Asif had unsuccessfully tried to seek the Supreme Court's intervention to prevent Sharif's deportation on Monday and had filed a petition charging the government with violating the court directive.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing of all cases following a strike by lawyers against Sharif's deportation.