His decision to undertake electoral activities in Britain has fueled debate about his renewed role.
ISLAMABAD:
Is Nawaz Sharif returning to politics? The Gilgit-Baltistan elections, scheduled for June 7, may be the first real answer.
PML-N President Nawaz has largely stayed out of active political campaigning since returning to Pakistan after a four-year self-exile in October 2023. Although he made a public appearance upon his return, his political role has since been largely limited to internal party affairs and organizational commitments.
He did not lead an active campaign during the 2024 general elections, a move that reinforced the perception of a moderate political presence despite his party’s return to power at the Centre. His absence from the election campaign was no coincidence: Nawaz returned from exile with his legal situation still unstable and his history of disqualification unresolved. . Shehbaz, with his closer relationship with the establishment and cleaner legal record, was the safer face.
Ahead of the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) elections, speculations about Nawaz Sharif’s political revival have gained momentum. His decision to undertake electoral activities in the region, along with planned visits for rallies and public engagements, has fueled debate over whether this marks the beginning of a renewed phase of political visibility beyond the party’s management.
The PML-N president is scheduled to make a one-day visit to GB on Tuesday (today), during which he will meet party leaders and ticket holders, and exchange views on the elections and development priorities for the region.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid, a close aide of Nawaz, said the former prime minister’s commitments in Britain reflect his routine responsibilities as party chief, adding that he continues to fulfill them whenever necessary.
“Whatever responsibilities Nawaz Sharif has, he fulfills them. Earlier, he attended the parliamentary party meeting in Azad Kashmir. When the parliamentary party meeting for GB was held, he also participated in it. Whenever the time comes and his presence is required, as party chief he fulfills all his responsibilities,” Rashid said.
On the other hand, according to PILDAT president Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Nawaz’s active participation in the GB campaign marks a notable change as he has generally stayed away from direct campaigning in AJK and GB in the past.
He said the move could signal a bid for greater political visibility within the party, adding that past political setbacks, including not taking over as prime minister after the 2024 election, may have influenced his positioning.
However, Mehboob noted that there is also a practical dimension to Nawaz Sharif’s role, noting that the acting prime minister and federal ministers are legally restricted from campaigning, leaving him as the most prominent PML-N figure available to lead the effort.
