A Pakistani court has prohibited the arrest of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his return to the country. Sharif was convicted of corruption in 2018 and sentenced to seven years in prison, but he has been living in London since he was released on bail in 2019.
The Lahore High Court issued the order on Sunday, saying that Sharif could not be arrested without a fresh warrant. The court also said that Sharif was entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Pakistani citizen.
Sharif’s return to Pakistan has been highly anticipated by his supporters, who are hoping that he will be able to lead a comeback of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. The PML-N is currently in opposition, but it is the largest party in the National Assembly.
Sharif’s return is also likely to have a significant impact on Pakistani politics. The country is due to hold a general election in 2023, and Sharif is seen as a potential challenger to the incumbent Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
It is unclear when Sharif will return to Pakistan. He has said that he plans to return as soon as possible, but he has not given a specific date.