AFP reported, Saturday morning, that Sharif was on his way home after four years of self-imposed exile, primed to make a political comeback ahead of elections.
The South Asian nation is facing overlapping security, economic and political crises ahead of polls already pushed back to January 2024, with Sharif’s primary opponent, the fiercely popular Imran Khan, languishing in jail.
“This is a time for hope and celebration. His return bodes well for Pakistan’s economy and its people,” said Khawaja Muhammad Asif, a senior leader of Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.
Sharif spent the past several days in Dubai and left on a chartered flight packed with journalists late on Saturday morning, according to Pakistan media outlets.
He will land in the capital Islamabad before travelling onwards to Lahore, where his supporters will gather for a welcome home rally, his party has said.
The eastern megacity was on Saturday morning shrouded in green and yellow banners, posters and flags welcoming Sharif home.
More than 7,000 police have been enlisted to control crowds expected at the Greater Iqbal Park where his homecoming rally is due later, according to a senior officer on site.
“I’m here to welcome my leader. The inflation is very high and poor people are desperate,” said 18-year-old Razi Ullah. “God has given him a chance to come back and turn things around. He’s done it before.”
Sharif’s return has been touted for months by the PML-N, whose leaders hope Sharif’s political clout and “man of the soil” swagger will revive its flagging popularity.
However, the former leader has a conviction for graft and an unfinished prison sentence hanging over him.
Earlier this week, the Islamabad High Court granted protective bail to Sharif until Tuesday, removing the threat of immediate arrest when he lands back in the country.
