Nawaz Sharif to leave U.K. for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah before returning to Pakistan

Nawaz Sharif to leave London for Saudi Arabia Wed. to perform Umrah before returning to Pakistan next week. PML-N senator says Sharif will rest in UAE, meet party leaders, and address rally before possible arrest.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif would leave London for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to perform Umrah pilgrimage before returning to Pakistan next week, ending a four-year "self-imposed exile", a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz said on Tuesday.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui told journalists that the PML-N supremo would perform Umrah (pilgrimage to Mecca) and spend time with his son Hussain Sharif during his stay in the Gulf Kingdom.

"I don’t have any reports of his meeting with the Royal family…But he will perform Umrah, spend time with his son … most of his stay would be in Medina," Siddiqui said.

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He added that Sharif, 73, would leave for the UAE two days before his expected arrival in Pakistan on October 21. “He will rest there and is also expected to meet some party leaders.” When asked about the media reports that Sharif would visit China and Qatar, Siddiqui said no such trips were scheduled before October 21.

The PML-N senator rejected the impression that the party was changing its narrative ‘vote ko izzat do’ (honour the vote) by saying that Sharif never can never reject the narrative as it enjoys the support of the people.

“But let me tell you one thing, his speech would not be that of a conventional political leader. He will show the nation the path forward like a political visionary … and his speech will determine a new way for us,” Siddiqui said while talking about Sharif's planned speech after landing in Lahore.