Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to his homeland on Saturday four years of voluntary exile in London, striking a chord in the country’s politics, which is marred by economic and political crisis.
The chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) landed at an airport in Islamabad and will travel to Lahore the same day to hold a big gathering of his supporters.
Sharif, the only Pakistani politician who became the prime minister of the coup-prone country for a record three times, returned to the country months ahead of general elections after securing what his opponents and political analysts described as blessings of the powerful military establishment.
Why Did Nawaz Leave Pakistan?
The PML-N supremo had jumped bail and left for London in the middle of his seven-year jail term in the Al-Azizia corruption case on medical grounds in November 2019 after a high court granted him bail for four weeks. The former PM’s downfall from power came after he lost crucial support of Pakistan’s military and was accused of corruption.
Imran Khan, at the time, had allowed him to travel abroad to receive medical treatment after complaining of chest pains. Sharif later prolonged his stay in London, saying his doctors were not allowing him to return to Pakistan. He was also barred from politics by the Supreme Court from taking part in politics or holding any public office.
A Pakistani federal court had granted him several days of protection in graft cases, clearing the way for his return. According to analysts, Nawaz Sharif likely brokered a deal with the powerful military establishment after which the court granted him bail.
Sharif’s return has been touted for months by his party, which hopes his political clout and “man of the soil” swagger will revive its flagging popularity ahead of the crucial general elections.
Sharif to Face Imran’s Party
After Nawaz’s return, much is at stake for his party PML-N, which seeks to challenge Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of the Bhuttos in the upcoming elections. He was received by a sizable crowd of supporters that had gathered at his Lahore’s Greater Iqbal Park in a show of support.
However, Nawaz Sharif is expected to face tough competition from Imran Khan’s party, who is languishing in jail on corruption charges. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has said that the PML-N has “completely destroyed” the legal system by facilitating the return of its supremo Nawaz Sharif, a “convicted criminal”, to the country.
There has been a talk among political circles that he is returning to the country at the “right time” as his arch-rival PTI Chairman Khan is in jail and there has been a “perfect equation” of PML-N with the establishment. Reports also said that Sharif’s return will help the military combat with Imran Khan’s popularity in the crucial election.
Upon his return, Sharif announced his plan for reviving the country’s ailing economy. He said his party would end unemployment, ensure a reduction in inflation and “smash the begging bowl” to avoid reliance on foreign loans. Sharif said he wanted to work with all the state institutions for the betterment of the country.
Why is Nawaz’s Return Crucial?
Nawaz Sharif’s return from exile comes at a time when Pakistan is facing overlapping security, economic and political crises ahead of polls in January 2024. Sharif’s major opponent, Imran Khan, is languishing in jail.
Nawaz Sharif is one of the nation’s wealthiest men, with a fortune earned in the steel business, but is admired by supporters for his approachable “man of the soil” demeanour. Often draped in a red Gucci scarf, his political fortunes have risen and fallen on his relationship with Pakistan’s powerful military establishment –- the country’s true kingmakers.
Sharif has now set the tone for what will probably be the PML-N’s narrative going forward into the elections: a party that has been around, knows the business of the state, knows people’s economic misery, and also knows what it’s like to be persecuted – but is still willing to work for the people, it said.
Nawaz Sharif’s younger brother Shehbaz, who enjoys a closer relationship with the military than Nawaz, came to power in a coalition that ousted Khan. Shehbaz’s government oversaw a change to the law limiting the disqualification of lawmakers from contesting elections to five years — paving the way for his return.
(With inputs from agencies)
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