Former Pakistan’s PM Nawaz Sharif appeared in Islamabad High Court (IHC)

Headline

Nawaz Sharif returns to Lahore after four years in exile in London.

Intro

Former Pakistan’s PM Nawaz Sharif appeared in Islamabad High Court

Story

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-font-kerning:1.0pt;} </style> <xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]-->Nawaz Sharif, a three-time Pakistani prime minister and a convict in graft cases, has recently returned to Pakistan after being in self-imposed exile. His return is in preparation for the upcoming elections scheduled for January 2024. He had left Pakistan in 2019 while serving a jail sentence to seek medical treatment in the United Kingdom, defying court orders to return. At that time, Imran Khan was in power. However, Imran Khan is no longer in office, and Sharif aims to make a political comeback.

span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%">Sharif's supporters greeted him with enthusiasm as he appeared in a graft court in Islamabad, where his bail was confirmed. He also went to the Islamabad High Court to appeal two separate convictions. He has been granted protective bail in all cases, which allowed him to return to Pakistan without the immediate threat of arrest.

span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%">Following his court appearance, the permanent warrant against Nawaz Sharif has been revoked. After appearing in court, Nawaz Sharif returned to the Minister Enclave, and he is scheduled to appear in the Islamabad High Court later.

span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%">In the Toshakhana reference case, Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir presided over the proceedings, and it was during this hearing that Nawaz Sharif surrendered himself. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor argued that Nawaz Sharif's surrender should lead to the rejection of his warrant, allowing the trial to move forward.

span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%">Consequently, the Accountability Court decided to cancel Nawaz Sharif's perpetual warrant. Judge Muhammad Bashir then requested Nawaz Sharif to come to the rostrum, where the judge instructed his lawyers to accompany him.

span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%">The court has adjourned the Toshakhana reference case until November 20, indicating that the proceedings will resume on that date.

span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:107%">Sharif's return may have been facilitated by an understanding with the powerful military establishment in Pakistan. His party anticipates that his political influence and his connection with the masses will help rejuvenate their popularity. Sharif has served as prime minister three times but has never completed a full term. His political fortunes often depend on his relationship with Pakistan's military establishment, which has played a significant role in the country's politics.