Islamabad: Deposed Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif's decision to nominate his brother Shahbaz Sharif to head the Pakistan Muslim League (N) followed a "deal" with the military regime to isolate former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, reports said on August 4.

Under the deal, Nawaz Sharif has promised not to create hurdles for the Musharraf government in conducting the October general elections, in return for the military regime allowing some members of the deposed premier's family to return to Pakistan, it said.

Sharif also promised not to return home along with Benazir as it could precipitate a major crisis for the Musharraf regime, the 'South Asia Tribune' said.

Sharif along with members of his family was exiled to Jeddah after the former Premier was convicted for refusing to grant permission for Musharraf's plane to land in Karachi in October 1999.

Maintaining that the "deal is an informal one and no government official or PML leaders or Sharif's family will publicly acknowledge it but its implementation is its biggest announcement", the report said adding Sharif's daughter, Marriam and son- in-law Capt Safdar have already left Jeddah for London enroute to Pakistan.

As per the original deal between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Sharif and family could not return for 10 years nor could they travel out of Jeddah.

Nawaz had nominated Shabaz to head the party in the forthcoming Parliamentary polls on August 3.

The elections became necessary, as the military regime had enacted new rules, requiring political parties contesting the polls to complete party polls by August 5.

PTI