LONDON — Immediately after Pakistan's highest court ruled he could return, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he would go home soon to lead his party's campaign to oust President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who exiled Sharif eight years ago.

Sharif, who once dominated Pakistani politics, confirmed he planned to run for a third term as prime minister.

The ruling by Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday and Sharif's promise to return and run for office further complicate life for Musharraf, who as an army general overthrew Sharif in a 1999 coup.