PROJECT NAWAZ COULD BE PAKISTAN'S PATH TO REDEMPTION

Nawaz Sharif's return after four years of exile marks a turning point for the troubled nation. It starts a new political shadow play in which the army plays puppeteer

- NEENA GOPAL

THE Pakistan Muslim League bussed in a huge crowd from its strongholds across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for last Saturday's rally at Lahore's Minar-e-Pakistan perhaps to send out the message that jailed archrival Imran Khan was no more than an empty threat. Orchestrated or real, the massive show of strength that marked the October 21 homecoming of Mian Nawaz Sharif cannot but go down in history as a turning point in the annals of the increasingly troubled nation. The return ended the three-time former Pakistan prime minister's four-year self-imposed exile. It paves the way for Nawaz's possible re-election as prime minister, if and when courts overturn his disqualification from holding office and extend bail to prevent jail time.

The Pakistan army's 'Project Nawaz'which Imran, indicted Monday for violating the Official Secrets Act, has long called Project London-finally comes to fruition after months of protracted negotiations in Washington, London and Dubai. Given Nawaz's emotional connect with his followers, will the return translate into a true political comeback?

For sceptics, there's a sense of déjà vu. The homecoming is yet another political merry-go-round which sees the military locking up one favourite as he falls from grace and freeing another to bend to their will, using corruption charges and the threat of jail as a stick to ensure compliance.