PAKISTAN: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived back in Islamabad today - and hours later was arrested and deported.

He had landed after seven years in exile and was hoping to campaign against General Musharraf, the country's president and US ally.

But about four hours after Mr Sharif arrived on a flight from London, he was taken into custody and charged with corruption.

The former prime minister was then quickly taken to another plane and an intelligence official confirmed he had been deported and was being flown to Saudi Arabia.

His deportation came despite a Supreme Court ruling last month that the two-time former premier, whose elected government was ousted by General Musharraf in a 1999 coup, had the right to return to Pakistan and that authorities should not obstruct him.

Mr Sharif's party condemned the deportation.

Sadique ul-Farooq, a close aide, said: "It is a violation of the constitution and of the court order under which Nawaz Sharif was allowed to arrive and stay in Pakistan."

While the move apparently sidelines a powerful political enemy of the general, it is likely to deepen Mr Musharraf's growing unpopularity ahead of presidential and legislative elections.

His grip on power has faltered after a failed attempt to oust a top judge ignited mass protests, but he still plans to seek a new five-year term in office by mid-October.