The president of PMLN, Shehbaz Sharif, declared that Nawaz Sharif is set to come back to Pakistan in October [2023] to lead the election campaign.
KARACHI: Contrary to recent statements made by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Khursheed Shah, has expressed doubt that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Nawaz Sharif will make his return to the country in October, attributing his hesitation to Nawaz’s ongoing health concerns.
Following a press conference held in London on Friday, where Shehbaz Sharif announced a revised date for his elder brother’s anticipated return, Khursheed Shah conveyed a differing perspective. The PMLN president, flanked by the three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, had stated, “Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October [2023] and lead the election campaign,” though he refrained from specifying an exact date for this homecoming. Nawaz departed for London in November 2019 for medical treatment after being convicted by an accountability court in corruption cases, and he has since continued to reside there.
In dialogue with local media on Sunday, Khursheed Shah emphasized that Nawaz Sharif has no immediate plans for returning to Pakistan due to his frail health. “Nawaz Sharif’s health is not stable; it is unlikely that he will come.”
Expanding on his thoughts, the PPP leader added, “Nawaz Sharif’s health could deteriorate unexpectedly.”
Nawaz Sharif relinquished his position as Prime Minister in 2016 after the Supreme Court permanently disqualified him for failing to declare assets. Subsequently, he faced conviction in the Al-Azizia and Avenfield Apartment cases, filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) following the Panama Papers leak. Appeals against these convictions are presently pending in relevant courts.
Prior to the aforementioned meeting, sources within the Sharif family had informed Geo News that Nawaz’s return to Pakistan was anticipated on October 15 of the current year. According to these sources, this date was discussed amongst Nawaz, Shehbaz, and close family members in London, where it was decided that the PMLN leader would make his comeback in mid-October.
Initial reports had indicated Nawaz’s return around mid-September, but these plans have recently shifted due to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) announcement that elections within 90 days are unfeasible.
Insiders clarified that the delay in Nawaz’s return to mid-October was not attributed to the ECP’s announcement but rather the advice of party loyalists who deemed September’s harsh weather unsuitable for large-scale political gatherings. Thus, mid-October was deemed a more favorable time for the return.
Shehbaz Sharif had journeyed to London on the previous Sunday, following his handover of government responsibilities to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
“The decision for Nawaz Sharif’s return date takes into account the severity of weather conditions. While there might be further adjustments, the date of October 15th is currently confirmed, and discussions will revolve around this date,” a credible source disclosed.
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