Pakistan: Nawaz Sharif gets new passport, reversing Imran Khan's cancellation; return from UK soon?

Preparations are reportedly being made in Pakistan for the return of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He has been living in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom since 2019, and his diplomatic passport was cancelled by Imran Khan's government when it was in power.

Nawaz Sharif has now been issued a new diplomatic passport by his younger brother Shehbaz's government, according to news reports. Pakistan allows former prime ministers and presidents to hold diplomatic passports, but Nawaz Sharif lost his when he was declared a proclaimed offender by a Pakistani court on corruption charges.

Sharif was also jailed for 7 years in a corruption case, but was allowed by the courts to travel abroad for medical treatment. He has been in London since 2019 when he went there for treatment.

Recently, current Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif met Nawaz in London, apparently to discuss the appointment of the new Army chief later in November, according to Pakistani media outlet Dawn. Shehbaz reportedly told media that Nawaz "is coming", and "failure is destined for Imran Khan".