Former Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif Returns After 4 Years

Sharif likely to run for prime minister again in January polls
Analysts say a deal may have been negotiated with the military

Nawaz Sharif displayed on a monitor during a welcome rally in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, on Oct. 21.Photographer: Betsy Joles/Bloomberg

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By Kamran Haider and Betsy Joles

October 21, 2023 at 12:30 AM UTC

Updated on

October 21, 2023 at 10:37 AM UTC

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Four years ago Nawaz Sharif left Pakistan, dodging a jail sentence on health grounds as ties with the powerful military soured. Now, the three-time former premier is back amid speculation his allies brokered a deal with the generals for his return to politics.

Sharif, 73, arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, television footage showed. His Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party has picked him as its prime ministerial candidate for elections in January that may pit him against former premier, the populist ex-cricketer Imran Khan.