Nawaz Sharif, the three-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, has returned to his country after four years in exile. His return is expected just before the general election, and his party, the PML(N), hopes to receive judicial permission to allow him to run.
Pakistani political analysts said the 73-year-old Sharif’s arrival in Lahore marked a dramatic victory over rival Imran Khan, who was convicted and subsequently forced into self-restraint. He pointed out that this was when the cricketer-turned-politician became prime minister. He was exiled to London.
This is also the second time that Sharif has returned to his homeland after completing self-imposed exile. The first lawsuit dates back to 2007. After living outside Pakistan during the eight-year rule of military dictator Parvez Musharraf, who was overthrown in 1999, Sharif returned to Pakistan and became a key player in domestic politics. This ultimately led to his record victory in the 2013 general election.
Below is a timeline of Nawaz Sharif’s subsequent political collapse and resurgence.
April 2016: How did the Panama Papers put Sharif in trouble?
Millions of documents from a Panamanian law firm leaked to the media. Parts of the so-called Panama Papers show that Mr. Sharif’s family is involved in an offshore company that owns property in London. Sharif, who won the 2013 election and became prime minister for a third time, denies any wrongdoing, but rejects the lawsuit brought by his rival Imran Khan.
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July 2017: Sharif is disqualified from the prime ministership.The reason is as follows
The Supreme Court found that three-time Prime Minister Sharif was “dishonest” for failing to disclose income from a company owned by his son, and disqualified him from the post. resigned on the same day and immediately left for London to care for his wife, who was undergoing treatment there.
April 2018: Why didn’t Sharif contest the polls at the time?
Against the backdrop of a corruption case against him, the Supreme Court handed down the first ever ruling, banning Sharif from participating in politics or holding public office for life. As a result, Sharif was expelled from the election. Then a convention was held, and his party lost nationally and in every state.
July 5, 2018: How did Sharif get sentenced to 10 years in prison?
An anti-corruption court sentenced Sharif in absentia to 10 years in prison. He and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, seen by his supporters as his political heir, were found guilty after failing to prove the source of their income, which was used to buy property in London in the 1990s. received the verdict.
July 12, 2018: The day Sharif was arrested.
With just a few days left until voting day, Sharif and Maryam returned to Pakistan and landed in their home base of Lahore. They were arrested at the airport and sent to jail.
July 25, 2018: Sharif faces further troubles as rival Khan wins in polls
Imran Khan, seen as Sharif’s biggest rival, won the general election and became the country’s first prime minister. Political analysts say the conservative Khan was favored by the military to lead a civilian government. Both Mr. Khan and the military denied the allegations.
December 2018: Why was Sharif convicted again?
Sharif was convicted in a separate corruption case and sentenced to seven years in prison and a $25 million fine. He said the charges related to ownership of a Saudi steel mill were politically motivated.
November 2019: How was Sharif able to leave Pakistan?
Sharif flew to London after a court allowed him to leave for treatment, on the condition that he return when he was healthy. But he didn’t return.
April 2022: How did Sharif’s brother turn the tide against Khan?
Khan was ousted as prime minister following a no-confidence vote in parliament. But analysts have linked his dismissal to a growing rift with the military over the appointment of security personnel. Sharif’s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif became prime minister.
May 2023: Imran Khan arrested
Khan’s arrest by Pakistan’s anti-corruption agency sparked violent protests by his supporters and sparked months of tension between him and the military. The arrests come at a time when the country is facing record inflation and has led to an escalation of political tensions.
September 2023: Ready for the next general election
The Election Commission has announced that it will be ready to hold a general election by the end of January 2024. This came a month after the National Assembly’s five-year term ended and Shehbaz Sharif took over as an interim government. .
October 2023: How was Sharif protected from arrest on arrival?
Sharif was found guilty in two cases and faces a total of 17 years in prison, but the court barred authorities from arresting him on arrival. Following the issuance of the legal exemption, the PML(N) announced that Sharif would return on October 21.
Will Mr. Sharif run in the next election?
A 2018 Supreme Court order bars Sharif from holding any political office. However, the PML(N) expects to seek amended orders from the judiciary ahead of the vote, which could facilitate a return to electoral politics within the next three months.
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