The European Union and the United Kingdom on Tuesday voiced concern over the deportation of Nawaz Sharif and wanted the Pakistan government to uphold the rule of the law while the United States chose to describe the dramatic development as an "internal matter" of the South Asian nation.

The European Union urged Pakistan to respect its own Supreme Court ruling and allow the former prime minister to stay in the country.

"In our view, the Supreme Court's view is very clear and should be respected," said Christiane Homann, the European Commission's external affairs spokeswoman in Brussels.

"If there is any legal case against Sharif, he should have the chance to defend himself in a Pakistan court."

In Washington, the White House described the event as an internal matter, but urged the upcoming elections to be free and fair.

"This is an internal matter for the Pakistanis to deal with," said national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

"We will continue our discussions with various Pakistani parties for there to be "free and fair elections", he said.

A state department official said the Pakistan government's decision ran contrary to the Supreme Court's decision on his return but offered no comment given that the matter is under legal consideration.

In London [Images], a spokeswoman for the British foreign office said that internal Pakistani politics were "a matter for Pakistani politicians and the people of Pakistan" but she said, "We call upon the Pakistan's government to ensure that due legal and judicial process is followed and the rule of law upheld," the spokeswoman said.