LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Supremo Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan on October 15 this year.
Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and other close family members in London discussed the date, determining that the PML-N Supremo would return to Pakistan in mid-October.
Earlier, the PML-N leaders announced the return of Nawaz Sharif by mid-September. However, they changed the plan after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that elections within 90 days were not feasible.
Therefore, Nawaz’s return has been delayed until mid-October. This change was not influenced by the ECP announcement, but rather due to advice from party loyalists who deemed September to be too hot and severe for large-scale political gatherings. Mid-October was considered a more suitable time for his return.
The decision to target mid-October for the return was made after Shehbaz held two meetings with Nawaz in London.
Following his arrival in London last Sunday, Shehbaz handed over his responsibilities to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
The decision regarding Nawaz Sharif’s return date
Meanwhile, the decision regarding Nawaz Sharif’s return date takes into account the severity of the weather. While there could be further adjustments, the date of October 15th is currently being finalized with more discussions to follow.
The Sharif family lawyers and political aides had earlier advised Nawaz to return to Pakistan immediately after concluding his three-month-long visit to Europe and the Middle East, which ended in London three weeks ago.
However, some within the PML-N suggested that it would be more prudent for Nawaz to return in mid-September, once the current Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial retires.
Nawaz, the PML-N, the Sharif family, and the lawyers collectively recommended waiting for CJP Bandial’s retirement, as they believe he has shown bias towards the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and made efforts to favor Imran Khan.
Recently, Nawaz criticized the current CJP and former judges who played a role in removing him from power in 2017. He accused the superior judiciary of targeting him in revenge while providing undue support to Imran Khan in his legal cases.
Nawaz expressed disappointment at CJP Bandial’s and Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi’s involvement in Khan’s case. He alleged that Imran Khan’s involvement in corruption cases, from Toshakhana to Al Qadir Trust for the theft of billions, is being protected by the chief justice.
He further said that General Bajwa and General Faiz were instrumental in bringing Imran Khan to power, and despite Imran Khan’s destructive impact on Pakistan, the CJP seemed determined to protect him.
Nawaz Sharif’s health had deteriorated significantly, prompting his medical treatment in London after he reached there on November 19, 2019. He had been diagnosed with an immune system disorder, and doctors recommended treatment abroad due to his worsening condition despite receiving care in Pakistan
