LAHORE , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- Former Pakistani prime minister and opposition figure Nawaz Sharif arrived in Pakistan 's second-largest city Sunday , where he plans to end seven years in exile and directly participate in upcoming elections . Nawaz Sharif arrived amid a crowd of uniformed security personnel and throngs of cheering supporters . He arrived at Lahore 's airport on a jet provided by the Saudi government at around 6:30 p.m. ( 8:30 a.m . ET ) . He emerged amid a crowd of uniformed security personnel and throngs of cheering supporters at the airport , where security was on high alert . Speaking to CNN just moments before his plane departed from Medina , Saudi Arabia , Sharif denied reports that he struck a deal with President Pervez Musharraf 's government that would allow him to return to Pakistan . `` I have n't met any Pakistani government functionary over the last eight years , although there were a lot of overtures from the Pakistani side to meet me and to talk to me , '' Sharif said Sunday afternoon . He said he has not changed his position on Musharraf , the man who overthrew him in a bloodless military coup in 1999 . `` He is not a legitimate president of the country ; I do not accept that , not at all , '' Sharif said . It is the second time Sharif has arrived in Pakistan this year . He was quickly deported back to Saudi Arabia by Musharraf 's government when he tried to return in September . Political observers doubt he will be turned away this time . Pakistani police set up on roadblocks leading into Lahore and the government had warned Sharif supporters they would be blocked from entering the city . Pakistani police launched a crackdown on Sharif supporters ahead of his arrival , arresting several hundred at their homes and stopping hundreds more who were traveling to Lahore to welcome him , authorities and eyewitnesses told CNN . Former Pakistani prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan in October , after eight years in self-imposed exile . While traveling from the Karachi airport , her motorcade was attacked , killing 136 people . She was unharmed . Sharif -- who leads the opposition party Pakistan Muslim League -- said he has been talking to Bhutto `` trying to find common ground '' in uniting the opposition to Musharraf 's government . `` We both have been interacting over the past few days , so let 's see what comes out of it , '' Sharif said . Sharif , like other opposition leaders , was highly critical of Bhutto for discussing a power-sharing government with Musharraf . Those talks ended when Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on November 3 . Sharif said that while his alliance -- the All Pakistan Democratic Movement ( APDM ) -- is preparing to participate in the January elections , they will only take part if Musharraf withdraws the emergency declaration and releases opposition members who have been jailed . `` Everything that was done must be reversed and drawn back completely , '' he said . `` Just withdrawing emergency will not be enough , '' he said . `` You must have a level playing field for free and fair elections . '' Asked if he could ever agree to a power sharing deal with Musharraf as president and he as prime minister , Sharif answered , `` No , no , no , no question . '' Sharif said he refused recent attempts by Musharraf to meet with him in Saudi Arabia . Sharif said he rejected the offer because the two men `` are poles apart . '' Musharraf met with Saudi leaders last week -- his first trip since imposing the state of emergency -- raising speculation that an understanding was reached with the Saudi government that prompted their support of Sharif 's return from exile . A spokesman for Musharraf told CNN Sunday there was no agreement or understanding with Sharif . Saudi authorities have been pushing Pakistan to allow Sharif back in the country . In addition to his aircraft to Lahore , the Saudi royal family also has provided him with a bulletproof car in Lahore , according to one of his deputies and a government source . Convicted of terrorism , hijacking and tax evasion after Musharraf seized power in 1999 , Sharif was released in 2000 in exchange for agreeing to 10 years of exile in Saudi Arabia . He retained his Pakistani citizenship but has not been allowed to travel to Pakistan or directly take part in Pakistani politics . On his arrival , Sharif plans to visit the shrine of a Sufi saint , then go to his home in Lahore . He also plans to visit the burial site of his father , who died while Sharif was in exile . The former official has no plans to call a news conference but was to make a statement at the airport in Pakistan . Last week , Pakistan 's Supreme Court -- recently stacked by Musharraf with his allies -- ruled against the last challenge blocking the ratification of last month 's presidential election . On Saturday , the election commission officially notified the federal government that Musharraf won . The move clears the path for him to take the oath of office for the third time , which he has vowed to do after stepping down as the country 's military chief . No date has been set for the swearing-in . E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Karl Penhaul and Mohsin Naqvi contributed to this report .
Former Saudi prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrives in Saudi Arabia . Police arrest hundreds of Nawaz Sharif supporters ahead of his arrival . Sharif was deported back to Lahore in September . President Pervez Musharraf ousted Sharif in a bloodless coup in September .