Nawaz Sharif's exile-to-home story in 9 legal, 4 political moves

Nawaz Sharif, three-time prime minister of Pakistan is scheduled to return to his homeland on Saturday following a self-imposed exile in London that has lasted for four years.

At the age of 73, Sharif initially assumed the role of prime minister in 1990. However, he was removed from office in a coup in 1999, marking the conclusion of his second term as prime minister. Following his ouster, he chose self-imposed exile, which persisted until 2007.

Sharif has been a fugitive from justice since failing to appear before a Pakistan court in 2019. He travelled from London to Saudi Arabia last week and is to return home on a special plane from Dubai on Saturday, according to his Pakistan Muslim League party.

The following timeline outlines the key events that led to his most recent period of exile and his impending return.

April 2016: Millions of documents from a Panamanian law firm are leaked to the media. Some of the so-called Panama Papers show the involvement of Sharif’s family in offshore companies that hold properties in London. Sharif, who became prime minister for a third time after winning a 2013 election, denies wrongdoing but a case against him is filed in Pakistan by his main rival, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.

July 28, 2017: The Supreme Court disqualifies Sharif from the prime minister’s office, declaring him dishonest for not disclosing income from a company owned by his son. Sharif, who had fallen out with the powerful military over policy differences, including ties with India, resigned from office the same day. He soon leaves for London to tend to his wife who was receiving medical treatment there.

April 13, 2018: The Supreme Court imposes a lifetime ban on Sharif from taking part in politics or holding any public office in a first-of-its-kind decision.

July 5, 2018: An anti-graft court sentences Sharif in absentia to 10 years in prison. He and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, seen by supporters as his political heir, are convicted after failing to prove the source of income used to buy properties in London in the 1990s.

July 12, 2018: Nawaz and his daughter fly back to the city of Lahore, their hometown and political stronghold, and are arrested at the airport and sent to jail.

July 25, 2018: Sharif’s main rival, Imran Khan, wins a general election. The conservative Khan, political analysts say, is favoured by the military to lead a civilian government. Both Khan and the military deny that.

Dec. 24, 2018: Sharif is convicted in another graft case and sentenced to seven years in prison and fined $25 million. He said the charges, linked to the ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia, were politically motivated.

Nov. 19, 2019 – Sharif flies to London after a court allows him to leave for medical treatment, on condition he returns when fit. He does not return.

April 10, 2022: Khan is ousted as prime minister in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence after differences with the military over security appointments. Sharif’s younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, becomes prime minister.

May 9, 2023: The anti-corruption agency arrests Khan sparking violent protests by his supporters and months of tension between him and the military, compounding worries about nuclear-armed Pakistan as it grapples with record inflation.

Aug. 9, 2023: Shehbaz Sharif’s government completes its tenure and hands over power to a caretaker administration that will oversee a general election.

Sept. 21, 2023: The election commission announces it will be ready to hold a general election by the end of January 2024.

Oct. 19, 2023 – A court bars authorities from arresting Sharif upon his return and his lawyer says he intends to appeal against his convictions. His party has said he would contest a seat in the general election if his convictions are over-turned.