A day following the announcement made by former Prime Minister and President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Shehbaz Sharif, regarding his elder brother's impending return from exile in October, Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, stated that the decision to handcuff PML-N's leader, Nawaz Sharif, upon his return to the country rested within the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies (LEAs). He emphasized that these agencies would make this decision in accordance with the law. If they think that he should be arrested by law then he would be arrested.
In an interview with a private news channel, Prime Minister Kakar underscored, "The law enforcement agencies will determine this matter based on legal provisions. If they deem it necessary to restrain him, they will proceed accordingly, and vice versa." He expressed confidence in the discretion exercised by the LEAs, hoping that they would act in the best interests of the nation.
Addressing concerns about Nawaz Sharif's potential arrest upon his return, the interim premier clarified that this was not a decision under his purview. He reiterated that the decision to either incarcerate or grant freedom of movement to the PML-N supremo would ultimately be made by the leadership of the judicial and law enforcement processes.
Kakar emphasized that the federal government could only intervene if there were clear violations of the law by either of the entities involved. Nawaz Sharif, who is expected to return on October 21, had previously been convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018, with these cases still pending in the judicial system.
His departure from the country in November 2019, following temporary medical relief granted by the Islamabad High Court, has generated significant interest and speculation regarding his return and potential legal proceedings. Additionally, in 2020, he was declared an absconder and later a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana vehicles reference by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government