Lahore
Nawaz Sharif, the former three-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, has returned to the country after four years of self-imposed exile in London, signaling his determination to address the pressing issue of record inflation as he launches his party’s campaign for the upcoming election next year.
Addressing a gathering of supporters in Lahore, Sharif expressed his commitment to serving the nation and ensuring its prosperity, particularly emphasizing his goal of curbing inflation. While refraining from detailing specific plans, he assured the public that his focus would be on initiating measures for economic recovery.
After arriving at Islamabad airport in a chartered plane, he promptly filed appeals against the convictions that led to his imprisonment before his departure from the country in 2019. While his convictions remain in force, a recent court ruling has prevented authorities from arresting him until his court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.
Despite his legal restrictions barring him from running for public office due to his convictions, Sharif intends to appeal the decision, with aspirations to become the country’s prime minister for the fourth time, according to his legal team and political party.
However, regaining his support base from his main rival, Khan, poses a significant challenge for Sharif. Despite Khan’s current incarceration and his disqualification from the upcoming election due to a corruption conviction, he remains popular among sections of the population, having previously served as the prime minister before his ouster in 2022. The political landscape in Pakistan appears poised for a dynamic shift as both Sharif and Khan navigate legal challenges and aim to secure public support in the upcoming election.
