Islamabad, Pakisan ? President Pervez Musharraf’s government quickly deported a former prime minister who tried to return home from exile Monday, eliminating a potential challenge to Musharraf but risking heightened political protests and setting up a clash with a newly emboldened Supreme Court.

Two-time Premier Nawaz Sharif, exiled to Saudi Arabia in 2000, flew into Islamabad’s airport from London early Monday, a few weeks after the Supreme Court said he had an inalienable right to return home.

But Sharif, who had hoped for a warm welcome from supporters, never got further than the airport lounge.

He was detained by security agents who boarded his plane, threatened him with arrest on corruption allegations and, hours later, put him on a plane to Saudi Arabia.

“They stormed in like bees,” said Amjad Malik, a British lawyer for Sharif who accompanied him on the plane. “There was a big hoo-ha. Mr. Sharif may have been hurt, I’m not sure. I’m very worried about his well-being.”

On the road to the airport, Sharif supporters carrying “Long live Nawaz” posters were met by hundreds of police officers holding sticks and riot shields and blocking the way. Many of them, including the leaders of his political party, were arrested in chaotic scenes.

While Sharif’s deportation marginalized one of Musharraf’s biggest foes, analysts said it likely will create other problems for the U.S. ally in the war on terror and deepen resentment of his military rule, which began when he seized power from Sharif in a bloodless coup in 1999 and later exiled him.

Critics said the government’s reaction to Sharif’s return showed just how much the opposition worries Musharraf. Opposition leaders vowed to continue fighting him, both in court and on the streets, and Western officials criticized his government for the way it handled Sharif.

“The decision to deport him runs contrary to the Supreme Court’s decision,” U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington.

Musharraf, who is also the country’s army chief, faces mounting challenges to winning another 5-year term in an upcoming presidential election.

His popularity has plummeted since an attempt to oust the country’s chief justice in March, while Sharif’s popularity had skyrocketed, largely because of his anti-Musharraf stance.

Sharif had hoped to rally the opposition against Musharraf, possibly mounting his own campaign for the presidency.