Last Updated on: 21st October 2023, 06:11 pm
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned home on a chartered plane from Dubai, marking the end of a four-year self-imposed exile in London. He made this move in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for January.
Nawaz Sharif, a three-time prime minister, faces stiff competition from his main rival, Imran Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and is currently imprisoned due to a graft conviction. Sharif had been in exile since 2019 after avoiding a Pakistani court appearance related to corruption charges. He initially left for medical treatment, but his stay in London was extended, citing health concerns. Recently, a Pakistani federal court granted him protection in graft cases, allowing his return.
Upon his arrival in Islamabad, Sharif received a warm welcome from legal advisers and party members. He then headed to Lahore, where thousands of supporters gathered to greet him. In a speech, he expressed forgiveness towards those who had caused him harm in the past and outlined his plans for reviving Pakistan’s economy, promising to address unemployment, reduce inflation, and decrease reliance on foreign loans.
Sharif also touched on his past political victimization and compared his previous government’s performance with that of his successor, Imran Khan, highlighting the affordability of essential goods during his tenure.
This return comes at a time when Pakistan grapples with political turmoil and a severe economic crisis. While Sharif’s supporters celebrated his homecoming, he is still confronted with various legal challenges. However, the Islamabad High Court’s decision to allow his return has provided a significant boost to his party’s efforts to counter Imran Khan’s popularity in the opposition.
The current caretaker government will oversee the January elections, shaping the political landscape in Pakistan in the coming months.