Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan; Ends four years of exile, eyeing election?

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has returned to Pakistan after four years in exile. Nawaz Sharif is back when the Pakistan general elections are going to be held in January 2024. 'It is a time of hope and celebration. His return bodes well for Pakistan's economy and people's well-being' - senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif responded.

The Supreme Court had removed Sharif from the post of Prime Minister in the 2017 Panama Papers case. The Imran Khan government that came to power then filed several corruption cases against Sharif. Sharif was also sentenced to seven years imprisonment in the case.

In 2019, Sharif moved to London after the Lahore High Court allowed him to go abroad for treatment. He promised in writing that he would return after four weeks, but he did not return. The Islamabad High Court had granted protective bail to Sharif till Tuesday. He was granted bail against arrest upon his return to the country.

It is reported that Sharif will leave for Lahore after staying in Islamabad for a few hours. There are indications that Sharif will participate in the rally at Minar-e-Pakistan. Sharif served three terms as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. After being expelled in 2017, he was banned for life from contesting general elections.

Nawaz Sharif was succeeded by his brother Shehbaz Sharif who came to power last year. The Shehbaz government brought changes in the laws and reduced the disqualification of legislators from contesting elections to five years. It is alleged that this paved the way for Sharif to return to Pakistan.