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Pakistani ex-PM Sharif gets passport

LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- The Pakistani government will issue a passport to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was overthrown in a bloodless military coup six years ago, the country's information minister said Wednesday.

Sharif, who retains his Pakistani citizenship, has been in exile in Saudi Arabia since 2000 and has not been allowed to travel or take part in Pakistani politics.

According to Information Minister Sheikh Ahmed Rashid, the former prime minister's son, Hassan Nawaz, is ill and Sharif will be allowed to travel anywhere for his medical treatment, except for Pakistan, where he is not allowed to return.

Rashid said Sharif's passport was granted by President Pervez Musharraf on humanitarian grounds.

Sharif was overthrown by Musharraf, then his army chief, during an Oct. 1999 coup.

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