Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived at a court building amid local media reports that he is seeking an appeal over a corruption conviction.

The case is being closely watched as a general election is slated for January.

Sharif was seen entering the Islamabad High Court building on Tuesday afternoon.

He returned to Pakistan over the weekend after four years of self-imposed exile in Britain.

He spoke before his supporters in the eastern city of Lahore. "I want to make this nation better. That's what I did before and may Allah give my party the power to work for this nation."

Sharif was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for corruption. The three-time prime minister was allowed to leave the country for one month in 2019 for medical treatment but did not return. His lawyer reportedly filed a petition for appeal on Monday.

Meanwhile, local media are reporting that another former prime minister and political rival of Sharif was indicted on Monday on charges of revealing official secrets while in office.

Imran Khan is already in jail after being convicted of corruption. He remains popular among young people and low-income workers.