LAHORE, July 15: Despite repeated and categorical assertions by various government functionaries that no member of the Sharif family will be allowed to return to the country or take part in the elections because of the agreement under which they had been banished to Saudi Arabia, some important PML(N) people claim that some member(s) of the former ruling family will certainly stage comeback before the elections.

Most people say that it is former chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif who will be returning home in a few weeks.

It is said that he will come anytime between July 23 and 27.

However, some other party leaders say that Shahbaz Sharif’s return will be possible by August 10.

Some sources having good contacts with the Sharif family say that instead of Mian Shahbaz Sharif some other family member could also be expected back. They think that Begum Kulsoom Nawaz stands a good chance of returning home and working for the party in the elections.

Some of those who are supposed to be in contact with the Sharifs in Saudi Arabia claim that Mian Shahbaz Sharif is returning home as a result of some ‘understanding’ with the regime and will be allowed to take part in the elections.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif, they say, will also become president of the unified PML.

However, not all PML leaders subscribe to these claims.