Ousted PM Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan from Saudi

Sharif, who was disqualified from office in July 2017, was believed to be in negotiations with Riyadh for an exile deal.

world Updated: Jan 02, 2018 13:09 IST
Ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif waves as he leaves an accountability court after a personal appearance to face corruption charges in Islamabad on December 4, 2017.
Ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif waves as he leaves an accountability court after a personal appearance to face corruption charges in Islamabad on December 4, 2017. (AFP Photo)

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, ending speculation that he was negotiating an exile deal with Riyadh.

The ousted Prime Minister, who has been in Saudi Arabia for the last two days, also met the Crown Prince, his daughter Maryam Nawaz has confirmed.

Sharif is in “Madina Munawara for ‘haazri’ (attendence) after his meeting with Prince Mohammad bin Salman. He would return to Pakistan tonight (Tuesday) after Umrah (Islamic ritual),” Maryam tweeted.

Speculation was rife that Sharif was negotiating a deal with Saudi Arabia to avoid facing an accountability court back home.

But a spokesperson of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader said Sharif was visiting Saudi Arabia due to his long-standing relations with the royal family and in his capacity as the head of the ruling party.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court in July 2017 disqualified Sharif after an investigative panel concluded his family’s assets exceeded their income, effectively ousting him from office and barring him from electoral politics for five years.