Nawaz jets off on multi-country tour

PML-N president flies under the radar on overseas tour; timing raises eyebrows

LAHORE:

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif embarked on a discreet multi-country tour on Friday, leaving without the usual media buzz.

His departure, curiously, aligns with the recent retirement of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, much like his return to Pakistan had closely followed Justice Isa's swearing-in.

For the past three months, rumours swirled in the media about Nawaz Sharif's potential departure to London for a medical check-up.

Party leaders, while tight-lipped about specifics, confirmed that he indeed required periodic medical attention.

This speculation was soon followed by talk of a constitutional amendment aimed at blocking Justice Mansoor Ali Shah from becoming chief, given Justice Isa's impending retirement on October 26.

The government, facing a shortfall of votes, reportedly resorted to horse-trading to secure support—a practice facilitated by a recent decision from the outgoing chief justice, who reversed a previous ruling on Article 63-A, effectively reopening the door for floor-crossing. The government also reportedly employed coercive measures to gain backing for the amendment.

According to media reports, Nawaz left for Dubai on an Emirates flight and is expected to spend a day there before continuing to London for a medical check-up. By October 29, he is scheduled to travel to the United States, where he will stay for around four days before returning to London.

Upon his return, he will reportedly be joined by his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and other family members for a subsequent tour of Europe.

Notably, no PML-N leader has officially confirmed this travel plan. The party also managed to keep the event largely under wraps in the mainstream media, maintaining a low profile.

It's worth noting that Nawaz Sharif ended his four-year self-imposed exile in October last year, one month after CJ Qazi Faez Isa assumed office.

Intriguingly, although his younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, held the office of prime minister from April to August, Nawaz only chose to return after the interim government took charge and Justice Isa's tenure commenced.