Yes, changed it to
<?php
@session_start();
if (isset($_GET['pageNum_WADAbrands'])) {
$_SESSION["BrandsPaginationReturn"] = "".$_GET['pageNum_WADAbrands'] ."";
}
?>
have changed the redirect url as you have suggested
$WA_redirectURL = "practicebrands_results.php?pageNum_WADAbrands=".$_SESSION['BrandsPaginationReturn'] ."";
Still returning to the first page