Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif returned home on a special flight from Dubai, ending his four-year self-imposed exile. Sharif stepped down as prime minister in 2017 after being convicted in a graft case and has since been living in the United Arab Emirates. He was greeted by legal advisers and senior members of his Pakistan Muslim League party upon arrival in Islamabad’s airport. From there, he flew to Lahore, where tens of thousands of supporters gathered to welcome him. In a televised speech, Sharif said he was forgiving all those who had caused him harm in the past and promised to revive the country’s struggling economy. He pledged to end unemployment, reduce inflation, and “smash the begging bowl” to avoid reliance on foreign loans. Sharif also expressed his desire to work with all state institutions for the betterment of the country.
Sharif’s return comes at a time of deepening political turmoil and one of Pakistan’s worst economic crises. Pakistan’s economy has been struggling for years, and its dependence on foreign loans has increased significantly. The current caretaker government is expected to hold parliamentary elections in January, and Sharif’s return is seen as a significant move to win the support of voters. Sharif has been a fugitive since 2019, when he failed to appear before a Pakistan court and was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment. He later prolonged his stay in London, citing health reasons. However, in recent weeks, Sharif’s legal team has been working to clear his name and allow him to return to the country.
Nawaz Sharif (Via Nawaz Sharif/Twitter)
Sharif’s main political rival, Imran Khan, was arrested in August after being convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in a graft case. The two politicians have a long history of rivalry, and Sharif’s return is seen as an attempt to gain an upper hand in the political arena. Sharif’s return has sparked a mix of emotions in Pakistan, with some welcoming his return as a symbol of hope for the country’s economic and political prospects, while others view it as an attempt to revive his political career. Pakistan’s economy has been struggling for years, and the country’s dependence on foreign loans has increased significantly, making it a pressing issue in the upcoming elections. Sharif’s return may help to ease some of the tension, but it is unclear if it will be enough to turn the country’s economic fortunes around.
