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Pakistan's three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who returned from exile last year, is now the clear front-runner to win the 8 February election. Despite facing past convictions for corruption and being toppled in a military coup, Sharif has managed to make a successful comeback. Analysts attribute his potential success to his strategic political maneuvering rather than overwhelming popularity. His main rival, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is currently in jail, while Sharif is on the brink of reclaiming power once again. This would mark another comeback for Sharif, who was previously ousted from office in a military coup in 1999 but returned to become Prime Minister for a record third term in 2013. However, his last term was marred by controversies and corruption allegations that led to his disqualification by the Supreme Court in 2017. Despite being convicted of corruption in 2018, Sharif's sentence was later suspended, and he lived in exile in the UK until his return in 2023. Sharif has been a prominent figure in Pakistani politics for the past 35 years and is known for ordering the country's first nuclear tests in 1998. His previous time in power was marked by clashes with opposition parties, the judiciary, and the military. Currently, he presents himself as an experienced leader who aims to stabilize the economy and address the country's challenges. However, analysts caution that his party is blamed for Pakistan's economic crisis, and there are concerns about the fairness of the election, especially since his main opponent is imprisoned. Additionally, his previous criticism of the military and judiciary raises questions about his relationship with these institutions. Nonetheless, Sharif's recent legal relief suggests that he has made a deal with the military, which could contribute to his electoral success.