Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to the country on Saturday on a chartered flight from Dubai after spending four years in self-imposed exile in the UK.
Sharif had left for London in 2019 to receive medical treatment while serving a 14-year prison sentence for corruption. The move is seen as a bid by the ousted PM to secure a record fourth term in Pakistan's national elections which is likely to be held in January.
However, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) faces a legal woes ahead of the polls. He cannot run for election again because of his convictions but his legal team says he will move legally. Nawaz also faces an uphill political battle as he hopes to make inroads into the support base of his archrival, Imran Khan, who is still popular even after being jailed.
When he arrived in Islamabad, the 73-year-old was received by party leaders and former law minister Senator Azam Tarar, who is part of his legal team. The oath commissioner and other court staff also arrived at the airport for signing legal documents, according to Pakistan-based media outlet Dawn. “The legal process of security guarantee will now be completed,” Dawn quoted Tarar as saying.
Before leaving from Dubai, Nawaz said, “I’m going back to Pakistan after four years today. When I was leaving Pakistan and going abroad I had no feeling of happiness but today I am happy.”
He will lead a rally in Lahore, his hometown on Saturday at 5pm, said local media reports. Nawaz is still convicted but the authorities are legally barred from arresting him until Tuesday, when he is to appear in court.