"Nawaz Sharif Returns to Pakistan Before Elections, Ending Self-Exile"

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has returned to Pakistan after four years of self-exile in the UK to participate in next year's elections against his rival, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Despite his convictions for corruption, Sharif plans to appeal and aims to become prime minister for a fourth time. His biggest challenge will be regaining his support base from Khan, who remains popular despite being in jail on corruption charges. Sharif accuses the military of orchestrating his removal from government in 2018 and backing Khan in the election, a claim both Khan and the military deny. Pakistan is currently under a caretaker government ahead of the January elections.