The Islamabad High Court has declared PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif as an absconder over his non-appearance to contest the cases against him. As the former prime minister is reportedly set to return home in October, according to his brother and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, he will have to face a slew of cases.

Former prime minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif left for the UK for medical treatment on November 19, 2019 with the permission of the court. The court allowed him to leave on the condition that he will return in four weeks.

His brother and a former prime minister himself, Shehbaz Sharif, had even submitted an affidavit in the Lahore High Court as a guarantor that Nawaz Sharif will return on time.

In October 2019, the Islamabad High Court had approved Nawaz Sharif’s bail for eight weeks in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case on medial grounds.

Nawaz Sharif had not appeared in the court in the appeal against his sentence in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference. Following this, the Islamabad High Court had declared him an absconder on December 2, 2020.

Also Read: Nawaz Sharif to arrive in Pakistan on Oct 21, confirms Shehbaz Sharif

After the release of the Panama Papers, the accountability court of NAB had sentenced the PML-N supremo to imprisonment of seven years in the Avenfield reference.

Besides Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar were also sentenced in the same case.

Later, the Islamabad High Court had acquitted Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar of the charges in the reference.

However, the case of Nawaz Sharif was separated as he was out of the country.

According to legal experts, Nawaz Sharif can file a petition for acquittal of the charges in all the cases upon returning home.

'Nawaz to lead, unite party in next elections'

Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah announced that party leader Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan on October 21, and he will be accorded a warm welcome.

Talking to the media, he said that Nawaz Sharif will lead and unite his party in the next elections.

The minister further said that it was a welcome development that the census and delimitations were being completed together. The 2017 census was controversial, he claimed.

He also said that the next elections were to be held on a fresh census so this was important, adding that the census will be completed on November 30 and then the elections announced in three to four days.

Rana Sanaullah suggested the PTI participate in the elections as a political party, adding the mob or people involved in the May 9 incidents should be separated from the party.

Nawaz to return on Oct 21

On Tuesday, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that his brother will return home on October 21.

The development came after Shehbaz and former defence minister Khawaja Asif called on Nawaz Sharif. Expressing his thoughts following the meet-up, Shehbaz Sharif said: "It has been decided in the party meeting that Nawaz Sharif will touchdown in Lahore on October 21 and will be welcomed overwhelmingly."

Shehbaz is likely to reach Lahore within a few days to review the preparations. Sources divulged that Shehbaz will first perform Umrah before returning to the country.

According to the sources, party workers from across the country had been told to welcome Nawaz Sharif with verve on the occasion of his arrival in Lahore.