ormer prime minister Nawaz Sharif had left Pakistan in 2019 for medical reasons, embarking on a journey that would see him spend nearly four years in London. His extended stay abroad has raised questions about whether he has capitalised on the opportunity to solidify his support among overseas Pakistanis.

During his exile in Britain, Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former prime minister, has remained a prominent figure in Pakistan’s political landscape. But has he used this to establish and maintain a close connection with the overseas Pakistani community?

Imran Haider, a Pakistani expat living in London for the past 23 years, expresses his enthusiasm for Nawaz Sharif’s time in the UK, highlighting how it has allowed political workers like him to get to know the real Nawaz Sharif better. In an interview with The News on Sunday, Haider describes Sharif as a “people’s man”, who enjoys being around loyal party workers and who understands their problems and potential solutions.

During his four-year stay in London, Nawaz Sharif’s efforts to maintain and strengthen the PMLN’s presence among overseas Pakistanis have not gone unnoticed. His supporters believe that the former prime minister was unfairly targeted, resulting in harm to Pakistan’s democratic political system.

When asked about Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf initiative for according voting rights to overseas Pakistanis, Haider says that the votes – whether of overseas Pakistanis or of those living in Pakistan – hold little value if individuals behind close doors are allowed to determine the future of democracy and the political system. This is what, he says, has led to disillusionment among many overseas voters, making them question the utility of casting their ballots.

Rana Junaid, a young lawyer residing in London, is a passionate supporter of the PMLN. According to Junaid, Britain is home to a substantial number of PMLN enthusiasts. Until recently, he says, there was no suitable platform to organise them. However, during the past four years, he says, Nawaz Sharif has worked diligently to establish networks within the community. Several individuals now identify themselves as the party’s spokespersons in their respective areas. However, he admits that the party’s social media presence is still no match for its rivals.

Raja Shahid, a local businessman considered close to Sharif, says Sharif‘s presence in London has had a considerable impact on overseas Pakistanis. “The PMLN has chosen to cultivate its supporters rather than recruiting members from other political entities,” he says.

Some political workers argue that Nawaz has not only maintained his political relevance but also catalysed the strengthening of the PMLN’s overseas network. One of the key apprehensions among PMLN supporters is that Nawaz Sharif may face challenges in resuming his political journey from where he left in 2019.

A pressing concern among the PMLN supporters pertains to “fair play” in the political arena. Many question whether Nawaz Sharif will be given a genuine opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

Scepticism also abounds with regard to the extent to which Nawaz Sharif, if elected again, will be allowed to govern freely and implement his agenda. Concerns about respect for the people’s mandate in the forthcoming elections persist.

Britain is also home to a substantial number of PTI supporters. Salar Kazmi has been a loyal member of the PTI for longer than two decades. He says support for both the party and its leader Imran Khan has remained steadfast. Kazmi says that the party’s core values and principles remain intact.

“Khan sahib is in jail now, but there is no restraint on his ideas,” Kazmi says. He says that the party’s commitment to its principles has ensured its resilience both within and outside Pakistan.

Asim Khan, who was born in Britain, has been a PTI member since 2003. He says that this is not the time for inter-party arguments. People, he says, should remain true to their ideologies and exercise utmost restraint.

“If Nawaz Sharif has a robust plan for stability and progress, he should be given a fair opportunity. His policies should be scrutinised and debated in the interest of Pakistan,“ he says. “Political decisions should be guided by what’s best for the nation rather than partisan considerations.”

In a call for introspection, Asim Khan asks fellow party members to confront and openly discuss the truth about past actions and initiatives. Acknowledging where and why things went wrong, he says, is crucial for the PTI’s growth and evolution.

Journalist Shahzeb Jillani says that the influence overseas Pakistanis exercise on the country’s electoral outcomes is not as substantial as it is sometimes taken to be. While their voices always matter, he says, their influence is most pronounced when there is a functional political system in place in Pakistan.

The PMLN, too, acknowledges the role of the diaspora in the electoral process. However, Jillani says, the party currently faces more immediate and pressing concerns. The impending return of Nawaz Sharif is not anticipated to be a smooth journey for him or his party.

Jillani suggests that most people tend to focus on the “last carriage of the train” rather than dwell on the past. In other words, he says, the current economic and social conditions will have a more significant impact on voters’ choices than ‘ancient’ history.

The most effective way to counter political engineering and manipulation, says Jillani, is through the power of the vote. “More votes leave less room for rigging or manipulation.” He also says that PTI voters are likely to participate if they are confident that the party candidates have been selected by Imran Khan. Otherwise, they may abstain.

The writer is a journalist based in London. She has worked with BBC Urdu and various national media outlets in Pakistan. She reports on Pakistani politics and is interested in diplomacy and global politics. Her X handle: @HudaIkram