It's a small story item in The Friday Times but it has huge implication if it proves true. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is planning on returning home.

According to Gup Shup, the paper's "gossip" section, Nawaz Sharif wants to return to Pakistan to put an end to speculations about rifts in the family and party. The paper says he could return after Muharram to attend his grandson's wedding.

Junaid Safdar had his nikah last Sunday to Aisha Saif in London and The Friday Times claims Sharif wants to finalize the date for the wedding in Pakistan so he can plan his return accordingly.

Those in the know of this decision, the paper claims, have been galvanized by it even though they know Sharif is likely to be arrested upon his arrival.

Sharif left for the UK in November 2019 for medical treatment and has been there since. His passport expired and his application to renew his visa to the UK was denied; he has, however, filed an appeal to review the decision.

He was granted bail in two cases, the Al Azizia mills corruption case as well as a money laundering case.

This new tidbit from Gup Shup is likely to cause concern for the PTI government who will not want to see the large public welcome Nawaz Sharif's return is likely to garner.