Sharif: people's champion?

The political fortunes of Nawaz Sharif will be on the rise again this week as the former prime minister contests a by-election for a National Assembly seat. A victory assured, Sharif will rejoin the legislature for the first time since his extended exile ended late last year.

Since then, his comeback has gathered momentum. His party, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), performed well in February elections and his brother, Shahbaz Sharif, became chief minister of the key province of Punjab this month. He is also riding high as leader of the anti-President Musharraf cause, and the champion of the rights of judges swept from power with the imposition of emergency rule last year. Earlier this year, he withdrew from the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government because it failed to move fast enough to restore deposed judges.

His party now poses a threat to the government by representing a viable alternative, as well as to Musharraf. It will seek to further bolster its position in the months ahead. It is energy shortages, food supply problems, rising prices and lawlessness that are harassing the people of Pakistan. Sharif will want to champion these causes too.