RASC News Agency: according to international news outlets, Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister of Pakistan who had been in self-exile for close to four years, has made a significant return to his home country. This development has further intensified the already tense political landscape, as Pakistan braces itself for an anticipated volatile national election.
Arriving at Islamabad airport on Saturday, according to airport officials, Sharif’s comeback has generated considerable attention. The former prime minister, who has held the position three times and was previously removed from power in a military coup, was the prominent figure leading the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party (PML-N). Historically, this party and another dynastic party have exerted significant influence over Pakistan’s politics.
However, Sharif faced an obstacle when a Supreme Court ruling disqualified him from holding office in 2017 due to corruption allegations. The following year, he received a seven-year prison sentence for these charges, despite vehemently denying them. The sentence was later suspended on medical grounds, granting him permission to seek treatment abroad with the condition that he return within four weeks. However, he disregarded this requirement.
Sharif’s arrival back in Pakistan is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with an Islamabad court granting him protective bail, meaning he cannot be arrested before appearing in court. This development has further raised the stakes and added to the intensity surrounding the upcoming election. The nation has already been grappling with political volatility since the removal of Imran Khan, another former prime minister who was once Sharif’s rival.
In recent months, public demonstrations have frequently erupted in the streets, fueled by discontent over Khan’s removal, skyrocketing prices, and perceived distrust towards the country’s influential military. Khan’s supporters firmly believe that the military played an instrumental role in his ouster, although the military denies these allegations. The confluence of these events sets the stage for a highly charged and dramatic political scenario in Pakistan.
