1. ‎On April 20, 2023, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz held a meeting with Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with the Saudi Prince has raised the eyebrows of many people and led to speculation about the future of Pakistani and Middle Eastern politics.

Nawaz Sharif met with Saudi Prince Muhammad Bin Salman

This article will explore whether the meeting also indicates Nawaz Sharif’s return to international politics and Pakistanp. At the same time, others have focused on the potential implications of the meeting.

Nawaz Sharif’s Political Career

Nawaz Sharif is a prominent Pakistani politician who has served as the country’s prime minister on three occasions. He first took office in 1990 and was re-elected in 1997 and 2013. His time in office was marked by both economic growth and controversy.

The military removed him from power in 1993 in a coup. But he returned to politics in 1997. In 2017, the Supreme Court again removed him from power. And subsequently, they convicted him on corruption charges.

The Meeting with the Saudi Prince

Nawaz Sharif’s recent meeting with the Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sparked speculation about the former Prime Minister’s political future. He was the guest of the Saudi Royal Prince.

Firstly, He performed Umrah along with his other family members, including his beloved daughter Maryam Nawaz, his grandson Junaid Safdar, and other members of the family. And then met with the Royal Prince, Muhammad Bin Salman.

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Junaid Safdar performing Umrah together

The meeting took place on April 20, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Maryam Nawaz was present at this meeting. Sources have disclosed that Nawaz Sharif described the meeting with the Saudi Prince as a high-level diplomatic engagement. Although, the sources indicate that the details of the meeting are still not public.

Nawaz Sharif with Prince Salman

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has stated that during the meeting between Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the leaders discussed the development of Saudi-Pak brotherly relations and explored solutions to the problems faced by Pakistan. This reaffirms his commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have historically enjoyed close diplomatic ties, with Saudi Arabia being one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a key source of investment. The meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince is seen as a further step towards strengthening this relationship.

Some analysts have suggested that the meeting could be part of a broader strategy to build a coalition of Middle Eastern countries to counterbalance Iran’s influence in the region.

Sharif’s Potential Political Comeback

The meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince has led many to speculate that Nawaz Sharif is planning a political comeback. He has been a vocal critic of the Pakistani government led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. 

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the discussion of solutions to the problems faced by Pakistan is also significant. Pakistan is currently facing a range of challenges, including economic instability, a growing debt burden, and security concerns.

The meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince could provide an opportunity for Pakistan to explore ways of addressing these challenges and strengthening its position in the region.

The Role of Maryam Nawaz

The fact that Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former minister PMN-L, was present at the meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince has also raised questions about her political future. Maryam Nawaz is a prominent figure in Pakistani politics and has been increasingly active in recent years.

Maryam Nawaz

She was also convicted of corruption charges in 2018, but her sentence was later suspended. Some analysts believe that the meeting with the Saudi Prince was an attempt to bolster Maryam Nawaz’s political prospects.

According to some analysts, Maryam Nawaz may be positioning herself to lead the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMN-L), her father’s political party.

The Implications for Pakistani and Middle Eastern Politics

If Nawaz Sharif has been planning a political comeback, it could have significant implications for Pakistani and Middle Eastern politics. The return of his leadership would likely result in Pakistan’s foreign policy changing, particularly concerning its relationship with Saudi Arabia.

He has been critical of the current government’s handling of the Kashmir issue and has also been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause. A Sharif-led government could be expected to take a more assertive stance on these issues.

Conclusion

Overall, the meeting between Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman has raised important questions about the future of Pakistani and Middle Eastern politics.

Whether it is a sign of the former Minister of PMNL’s political comeback or part of a broader strategy to build a coalition of Middle Eastern countries, the meeting is more likely to have significant implications for regional stability and global politics.