Nawaz vows to let bygones be bygones.

LAHORE -- Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday declared he had 'no wish for revenge', vowing to help the nation thread a potentially 'rough course' back to the 'lost glory' in a highly anticipated homecoming speech before thousands of cheering supporters at a 'triumphalist' rally in the nation's political capital.

The PML-N supremo, who had been away from the halls of power since his ouster in 2017, announced his return to frontline politics at a massive rally that suggested his four-decade political career might not be over yet. His long-awaited return to Pakistan's political firmament was, however, overshadowed by turbulent politics, the incarceration of his popular arch-rival Imran Khan and the flagging fortunes of his party.

"We need to start a new journey,' he declared, emphasising the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders.

While seemingly setting a reconciliatory tone to bury the hatchet, the "Lion of Punjab" nevertheless struck a deeper sympathetic chord with his city - that observers said had largely fallen into his incarcerated rival Imran Khan's lap, saying certain festering wounds inflicted upon him remained unhealed.

'There are some wounds that take time to heal, but I have no wish for revenge. Nawaz Sharif only wishes for the well-being of the people,' he told the crowd, wearing his signature red scarf.

The dream of a prosperous country that he pursued during his rule lied in tatters thanks to his repeated ousters from power, the 73-year-old veteran politician lamented in a notably gravelly voice.

In a muted echo of his post-ouster speeches, the former prime minister also asked the reasons for being toppled: 'Are our governments toppled down and rulings are issued against us [for refusing the US and taking a stance for the interest of Pakistan]?'

Observers, however, noted that although the deposed premier emphatically signalled his willingness for reconciliation and studiously avoided mentioning establishment, a series of ambiguous allusions to his 'unhealed wounds' and ordeals of the past kept creeping into his speech.

'Tell me, who separated Nawaz Sharif from his nation? We are those who built Pakistan,' he said.

At one point, he quoted a verse from Ghalib: 'Ghalib hamen na chhed ke phir josh-e-ashk se/ baithe hain ham tahayya-e-tufan kiye hue.' (Ghalib, tease us not again with the barrage of tears/ We sit here with a determination to take on the storms).

Lahore dressed up

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