New Delhi: Nawaz Sharif is said to return to Pakistan from his self-imposed exile in London. At a press conference in Lahore, senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Mian Javed Latif said the former prime minister won’t go back to jail upon his return. He said that having Sharif will not only bring a “level-playing field” in Pakistani politics but also help tackle Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s growing influence.
Imran Khan, Sharif’s successor to the throne who was ousted by a Supreme Court order, called the developments a “conspiracy” to pave for Sharif’s return. “Under the conspiracy, Nawaz will be brought back to the country by the end of September and a character assassination campaign will be launched to malign me. Do not compare me with a dacoit,” Khan said, addressing his party’s rally in Lahore.
So how is PML-N going to ensure the re-entry of Sharif, who has been barred by the Supreme Court from holding any public office following the Panama Papers leak case, in Pakistani politics? The party, which runs the current government in Pakistan led by Nawaz’s brother Shehbaz Sharif, will make relevant amendments to lift the ban on Nawaz and ease him back into politics.
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The return of Nawaz
Nawaz Sharif had accused Imran Khan of committing the biggest theft in Pakistan’s history. Now the two political adversaries will battle it openly. With Nawaz calling Imran a dangerous man needing punishment and Khan hitting back with his dacoit comments, Pakistani politics is set to for a duel before the next parliamentary election.
But as “Sher of Pakistan” plans a return, Pakistanis are not happy. They took to Twitter to express distress. Some lament it as the death of Pakistan’s judicial system and demand that Sharif be put in his rightful place — behind bars.
Pakistanis think that the increase in petrol prices is another conspiracy planted by the Shehbaz Sharif government. In an effort to change public opinion about the Sharifs, Pakistanis suspect the government would reduce petrol prices after Sharif’s arrival. In fact, Sharif has already opposed the petrol price hike, so the stage seems to be set for his grand comeback.
Increasing petrol plain to make stage for nawaz sharif when he arrive I. Pakistan they reduce petrol rates to divert public mind from nawaz sharif to petrol rate deduction
— Ahmad Khan (@AhmadKh51799646) August 16, 2022
Kia Nawaz Sharif k comeback k sath oil prices kum ki jaen gi?
— Usama Zafar (@Usama7) August 16, 2022
Bkwas. Nawaz sharif chor daku lutera.
— Zoroo (@Zoroo66947279) August 16, 2022
The inflation and price hikes in the country are a precursor to the return of absconder Nawaz Sharif.
The groundwork is being laid to present him as the saviour who comes galloping to rescue Pakistan from the self-created vortex the country has been thrown in to.
Wait & See 🙂
— Foxtrot Sierra 🇵🇰 (@FS801209) August 16, 2022
Some claimed that Sharif was coming back because his UK visa appeal was dismissed.
This is the reference number for Nawaz Sharif’s UK Visa Appeal that was dismissed. Nawaz is being kicked out of the UK! pic.twitter.com/tZRN2Kc5yM
— Pakistani (@bbc_pakistani) August 16, 2022
Pakistanis are baffled at the prospect of Sharif returning to politics. In London, outside his house, a group of women protesters recorded a video of themselves saying the former prime minister wasn’t even coming out of his house to face four women, how will he face more than 20 crore ‘awaam of Pakistan’.
Nawaz Sharif, the coward. How will this man come to Pakistan and face 230,000,000 awam when he couldn’t face us 4 women who went to represent the 13th of august haqeeqi azaadi jalsa held by Kaptaan. Not only was the police called but we were falsely accused of physical fighting. pic.twitter.com/snBjSfsJMH
— Maheen Faisal (@MaheenFaisal20) August 13, 2022