Saturday, March 26 2005 12:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has requested the Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Governments to shift his exile from Jeddah to London.

Sharif said he has to undergo medical treatment and also resume political activities. Sharif, along with his family, is into the fifth year of his exile in Jeddah.

His Pakistan Muslim League-N party said the Pakistan embassy in Saudi Arabia has already turned down Sharif's request to renew his passport, which expired last year, Pakistan daily 'The News' said.

Subsequently, Sharif requested the Saudi Government to give him a passport to travel to London, PML-N sources said.

They added Riyadh is not averse to helping Sharif.

Sharif was sent on exile to Jeddah after he was sentenced to life by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan for preventing the plane of General Pervez Musharraf from landing before the military coup of October 1999.

President Musharraf, who was the Chief of Army then, was on his way from Colombo to Karachi.