After a period exceeding four years of voluntary seclusion in the United Kingdom, it has been reported in the media that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is contemplating a return to Pakistan in the forthcoming month. This news, emerging on a Saturday, was relayed through sources present at a gathering in London, where Sharif, the paramount figure of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was in conversation with members of his political party. According to the Dawn newspaper, during this discourse, Sharif made reference to his impending return, albeit without specifying a precise date for his travel.
Nawaz Sharif, aged 73, has maintained his self-imposed exile in London since November 2019. His departure from Pakistan came on the heels of his conviction in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018. Initially, he was serving a seven-year prison sentence at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail, a penalty arising from the Al-Azizia Mills case. However, in 2019, he was granted permission to travel to London on the grounds of his purported medical condition.
The Dawn report further illuminates that attendees at the meeting, predominantly PML-N supporters, were actively discussing the logistical intricacies of his anticipated return, displaying their enthusiasm to prepare for their leader's homecoming. Furthermore, the report indicates that Sharif affirmed his intentions to return to Pakistan sometime in the month of October.
In addition, the report highlights Nawaz Sharif's perspective on the necessity of reconnecting with his electoral base and supporters, particularly in light of the ongoing economic turmoil being experienced by the country.
Previously, on August 25, Sharif's younger sibling, Shehbaz, had publicly announced the former prime minister's plan to re-enter Pakistan during the month of September. The primary objectives behind this return were cited as the need to address his outstanding court cases and actively contribute to the political campaign of the PML-N in anticipation of the general elections.
Shehbaz, who holds the position of President within the PML-N party, has gone a step further by asserting that Nawaz Sharif is prepared to return to Pakistan to undertake the role of prime minister for an unprecedented fourth term.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disclosed its intention to conduct a fresh delimitation of constituencies, based on the recently conducted census, thereby leading to a postponement of the general elections. Initially scheduled to take place within the constitutionally mandated 90-day period following the dissolution of Parliament on August 9, the election timeline has been deferred.
