Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan after 4-year self-imposed exile, eyes political comeback

Former Pakistan Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, has returned to the South Asian nation after nearly four years in self-imposed exile. His return has added more complexity to the already tense political landscape in Pakistan, with an upcoming national election expected to be tumultuous.

Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former Prime Minister who was once ousted in a military coup, arrived at Islamabad airport on October 21.

Before his return to Pakistan, Sharif expressed his concerns about the “very chaotic” situation in his homeland. He conveyed his confidence in the capability of his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party to address the current crisis in the financially struggling country.

Sharif also outlined his plans for revitalizing Pakistan’s struggling economy. He pledged to tackle unemployment, reduce inflation, and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign loans, stating his desire to collaborate with all state institutions to improve the nation.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued permission for a special aircraft to land with Nawaz Sharif on board.

Sharif had been granted protective bail in two corruption cases, and an accountability court had suspended his arrest warrant in the Toshakhana case, effectively clearing the legal obstacles for his smooth re-entry into the country, as per a report.