But Mr Sharif's party argues he should stand trial for, among other things, abrogating the constitution.
Yesterday he had former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif deported after arriving in Pakistan.
Sharif intended to drive through the country from Islamabad to Lahaur, his home city, in a convoy.
Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, secretary general of Sharif's party, says that's a step General Musharraf must take.
Mr Demirsay, known locally as Sharif, was stabbed after answering a knock at the door.
Officials from Sharif's party say hundreds of activists were being detained ahead of his expected arrival.
Yet, the following year, Sharif was allowed to go into exile in Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Sharif heads the Pakistan Muslim League-N, the rival to Mr. Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party.
WSJ: Border Dispute Overshadows Chinese Premier Li's Visit to India
Mr Sharif understands that is one of the main reasons people voted for him.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was head of the Executive Council of the Islamic Courts Union.
Sheikh Sharif is an Islamist, which basically means that he's got a fairly conservative agenda.
It is now up to Sharif to figure out how to navigate the long road ahead.
But the high voter turnout and election victory just put Sharif back on the map.
Mr. Sharif's family were refugees from what is now India, just a few miles away.
WSJ: Pakistan's Newly Elected Leader Seeks Better India Ties
"We're going to address the economic issues very seriously, " Mr. Sharif said on Monday.
Mr. Sharif, who had previously strongly opposed the program, used more measured language on Monday.
The Karachi stock exchange hit a record high on the expectation of a Sharif-led government.
Still, there was widespread optimism in Pakistan about Saturday's election, and about Mr. Sharif's victory.
Behind her, a giant PML-N poster showed Mr. Sharif and pictures of striped big cats.
WSJ: Hold That Tiger: Big Cat's Fate Snarls Pakistan Campaign
The alliance earlier said it had taken the Zari district, also south of the Mazar-e Sharif.
Should Mr. Sharif win office, he is likely to temper his approach, predicted retired Maj.
Sharif has had rocky relations with Pakistan's powerful Army chiefs, including his own appointee, Gen.
Mr. Sharif has avoided explicit criticism of the Taliban, calling instead for negotiations with the militants.
Mr. Sharif's party, however, hasn't said it will reject American aid to the federal government.
Mr. Sharif, portly and famously fond of food, cultivates the image of being a typical Punjabi.
British troops have since served in it, patrolling Kabul and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
ECONOMIST: The paras are supposed to be in Helmand to make peace, not war
Sharif said Thursday he will return to Pakistan on Sept. 10 after seven years away.
If he goes free, it will spark a backlash from both Sharif and Bhutto supporters.
Sharif returned to Pakistan last month, ending seven years in exile in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Mr Sharif was giving the Americans secret assurances that he was fully on board.
应用推荐