Nawaz Sharif to Hold Strategic Meetings in Saudi Arabia

Nawaz Sharif, the supreme leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), currently residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is slated to travel to Saudi Arabia today [Tuesday].

Party insiders suggest that the ousted premier is expected to engage in important meetings in the kingdom. The outcomes of these meetings will ultimately influence his decision to return to Pakistan, they added.

Nawaz faced disqualification by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in July 2017 in relation to the Panama Papers case. In December 2018, he was again convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment in a corruption case.

Yet, in October 2019, the government led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) granted Nawaz seldom-granted permission to travel overseas for medical treatment for a severe health condition. Since then, Nawaz has resided in London, despite numerous court notices and his party’s ascension to power in Pakistan in April of the previous year.

Nawaz and Asif Ali Zardari Allegedly Discuss Election Strategies

On June 27, Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman (Asif Ali Zardari convened in Dubai. Some media outlets reported allegedly discussing various topics, including the date for the upcoming general elections scheduled for October and potential seat adjustments.

According to these reports, the two party leaders also deliberated over possible nominees for the caretaker Prime Minister. Some media outlets, quoting unnamed sources, alleged that they had reached a consensus on a candidate.

Other topics addressed during the meeting were the schedule for the next elections and a formula for power sharing.

PML-N sources stated that the party has not yet decided to form an electoral alliance with any other party. They suggested that the PML-N is inclined to field candidates across all constituencies of Punjab, the country’s most populated province. In Pakistan, the outcome of elections in Punjab typically determines the country’s ruling power.