Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan updates: Maryam, ex-PM reach Islamabad; airport completely sealed for outsiders

Watch: Maryam Nawaz, ex-Pakistan PM surrender to NAB officials 

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz surrendered; their passports have been confiscated 

Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz have been detained by the NAB officials. The duo courted arrest peacefully and cooperated with the authorities. Their passports have been confiscated and they will be taken to Islamabad later, either by a chopper or a private jet depending on the weather conditions.

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz arrested from Lahore airport 

List of NAB officers part of team at Lahore airport to arrest Nawaz Sharif, Maryam  

Nawaz Sharif, M****aryam land at Lahore airport

The Etihad Airways flight carrying Maryam and Nawaz Sharif has landed at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. A team of National Accountability Bureau lead by DG Lahore, NAB Saleem Shahzad has arrived at the airport. Maryam and Nawaz will be arrested shortly.

Watch: NAB officials had made alternate arrangements at Islamabad Airport 

Etihad Airways flight carrying Nawaz Sharif, Maryam diverted to Islamabad 

According to various media reports , the Etihad Airways flight carrying Maryam and Nawaz is being diverted to Islamabad after scores of PML-N supporters descended on the streets of Lahore. The last moment revelation will prevent any violent protests or demonstration against the PML-N leadership’s arrest.

Lahore court orders release of detained PML-N workers

Earlier in the day, a Lahore court ordered the release of hundreds of members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party who handle street-level organising. Police on Thursday swept through Lahore to arrest more than 300 workers of the PML-N party, and detained several even today. The police action came in the garb of “avoiding law and order problem”, ahead of the arrival of party founder Nawaz Sharif. However, the court took a different view. Besides, prominent journalists and even politicians cutting across party lines said that the party workers’ constitutional right to assemble should not be curtailed. 

As an opponent i should say pml n should be allowed as much freedom as nawaz sharif allowed political opponents in model town & Islamabad but unlike NS i actually believe in democracy . Pml n should have freedom of assembly as guaranteed in the constitution

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) July 13, 2018

First arrests and now cell phone services switched off in DHA Lahore to counter a party that's renowned for its inability to mobilize large crowds. Truly blessed with idiots all around.

— Umair Javed (@umairjav) July 13, 2018

More clashes in Lahore: PML-N supporters baton charged by police near Bhatta Chowk; tear gas shells fired 

PML-N supporters enroute Lahore airport have clashed with local forces near Bhatta Chowk area, following which the police baton charged the supportersof Nawaz Sharif and Maryam. Tear gas shells were also fired.

Chaos in Lahore as Nawaz nears his home state; 5 policemen injured in clashes with PML-N supporters 

Five policemen are reportedly injured in Pakistan’s Lahore after PML-N supporters attacked the forces for blocking their way. Charged PML-N workers lead by  Khurram Dastagir attacked the forces blocking entry into the city at Lahore’s Shahdara Gate. The injured policemen were taken to Mayo Hospital in Lahore.

Lahore: PML-N supporters arrive with a crane to remove blockades enroute airport 

According to sources, PML-N sources arrived at Canal Road in Lahore to remove the heavy containers placed to block roads leading to the airports. Hundreds of PML-N supporters are trying to reach Lahore airport to welcome their leader, who is convicted in a corruption case. 

Nawaz Sharif says blind revenge behind his conviction, slams draconian crackdown on PML-N supporters

In an interview to a Pakistani newspaper, Nawaz Sharif said that there was never a case against him and the whole Panama paper scandal was raked up to ‘fix him to fix the politics of Pakistan.’ He said that his conviction in the corruption case was purely motivated by a game of blind revenge. “This was neither a case nor there is a verdict. This is a game of blind revenge, which is continuing. There is no case against me, there never was. The whole Panama case was started to fix politics and to take me out because I wanted a stronger democracy,” Sharif told  The News International  before leaving from London.

Watch: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reaches Lahore’s Mall road with PML-N supporters 

Nawaz, Maryam depart from Abu Dhabi airport 

Etihad Airways flight number EY243, in which Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz are travelling to Lahore has taken off from the Abu Dhabi airport. According to the revised schedule, the flight is expected to land in Lahore at 9.18 pm (IST).

Shehbaz Sharif leads huge rally to Lahore airport to greet Nawaz Sharif 

Shahbaz Sharif heading PML-N rally from Lohari Gate to Lahore Airport@pmln_org @PmlnMedia @president_pmln @MaryamNSharif pic.twitter.com/qZ8HPBK34T

— The_Nation (@The_Nation) July 13, 2018

Watch: Security beefed up outside Adiala prison in Rawalpindi 

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam board flight to Lahore; will reach around 9.30 pm (IST)

Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam have boarded the flight to Lahore. They are expected to arrive at around 8.30 pm (IST). The Sharifs are running behind the schedule by roughly two hours, owing to a flight delay. The duo is expected to be arrested on arrival.

Nawaz supporters enroute airport, brother Shehbaz Sharif also present 

A throng of PML-N supporters led by the former chief minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif has departed towards Lahore airport to welcome Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz. The supporters are unlikely to be allowed inside as the tough security measures have been undertaken to ensure that Nawaz and Maryam could be detained and jailed without any hassle.

Meanwhile, brother of ex-Balochistan CM killed at the bombing in Mastung rally 

Siraj Raisani, the younger brother of former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani. was killed in a bomb attack at his election rally in the Mastung district of the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan. Fourteen others also lost their lives while dozens are reportedly injured. Raisani was a candidate of the recently-formed Balochistan Awami Party from PB-35 constituency. 

It was the second election-related bombing Friday in this Islamic nation. Earlier, four people were killed and 20 others wounded in a bombing near the rally of Akram Khan Durrani, who is running for a seat in parliament from the northwestern city of Bannu. 

Raisani was contesting elections from the PB-35 constituencyhttps://t.co/g17A01pUK1@PakSarfrazbugti @pid_gov @OfficialDGISPR #BalochistanAwamiParty#Balochistan #SirajRaisani pic.twitter.com/ERriGovxAG

— The_Nation (@The_Nation) July 13, 2018

PML-N tweets video showing hoards of party supporters on streets of Lahore 

مسلم لیگ (ن) کی ریلی لاہور ایئر پورٹ کی طرف رواں دواں pic.twitter.com/Zna9TYlWt1

— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 13, 2018

Reports say Nawaz, Maryam weren’t detained at Abu Dhabi; holding deliberations with supporters at a hotel 

Nawaz Sharif and Maryam have gone to a hotel near the airport in Abu Dhabi. They have not been arrested and they are holding consultations with some unidentified people as well as some PML-N workers, news agency  ANI  reported. The duo are expected to board a flight to Pakistan with a three-member NAB team on board. They will be arrested as soon as they touch Pakistani soil.

Meanwhile, an explosion at an election rally in Mastung killed 5, injured dozens 

Five people were killed and around 30, including Siraj Raisani, were injured on Friday when an explosion hit an election gathering in Darengarh area of Mastung in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province. 

Raisani, a candidate of the recently-formed Balochistan Awami Party from PB-35 constituency, is the younger brother of former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani. He is said to have sustained serious injuries,  Geo TV  reported.

Nawaz Sharif expected to arrive at 8.30 pm IST; will be arrested from the runway 

According to Pakistani news website  The News International ,  following a two-hour delay, Nawaz and Maryam’s flight is expected to land in Lahore at 8.30 pm IST. Reports say that the former Pakistani prime minister will be whisked away by helicopter to the federal capital of Islamabad via a chopper. He will then be sent to the Adiala prison.

‘Coming back for future generations of Pakistan’

#WATCH Former Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif speaks to the media at Abu Dhabi airport, says, "I am coming back for the future generations of Pakistan. Mein karz chukane aa raha hun jo mujh par wajib hai." pic.twitter.com/fdFDVzgmxr

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2018

‘Doing what I should do’, says Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif, according to ANI , said, “I am doing what I should do, I am taking my struggle forward.”

“I am going to Pakistan, but what credibility is now left of the elections? Who will believe the results?” he asked.

Nawaz Sharif really believes this is about democracy, says close aide

“Nawaz really believes this is about democracy and his legacy,” Musadik Malik, Sharif ally and former PML-N cabinet minister, told Reuters. “That is why he is willing to lose 10 years of his life over this,” he added.

Meanwhile**..** Imran Khan says ‘wonder why cross-border attacks increase when Nawaz is in trouble’ 

Beginning to wonder why whenever Nawaz Sharif is in trouble, there is increasing tension along Pakistan's borders and a rise in terrorist acts? Is it a mere coincidence?

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 13, 2018

PML-N tweets videos of workers being arrested as they chat ‘Nawaz is going to jail, in jail’ 

جیل میں جاتے ہوئے نواز شریف زندہ باد کے نعرے، پاکستانی تجھے سلام pic.twitter.com/qjAbYubC4z

— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 13, 2018

In Pictures: An image of former Pakistani PM, his daughter on the bedside of an ailing Kulsoom Nawaz 

This picture will haunt many in future. Remember. pic.twitter.com/44LwcQJCsF

— Rabia Anum Obaid (@RabiaAnumm) July 12, 2018

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam’s flight delayed by two hours

Punjab’s caretaker govt denies acting in a biased manner, says PML-N workers shouldn’t take law in own hand 

The caretaker home minister in the interim Punjab government held a press conference on Friday to refute allegations that the authorities were acting in a biased manner. “The caretaker government is completely unbiased and we don’t support any specific political party,” home minister Shaukat Javed said. 

He added that people were stopped from visiting the airport because it was a sensitive area and he advised the PML-N supporters to refrain from taking law in their own hands.

Shehbaz Sharif writes to caretaker CM of Punjab over arrests of PML-N workers 

PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif wrote a letter to the caretaker prime minister of Punjab Province, Dr. Hassan Askari, to protest against the large-scale arrests of his party workers. He alleged that the caretaker government was indulging in the action to stop PML-N from participating in elections and campaigning properly. The government’s actions, he said. were to benefit a particular political party, (apparently Imran Khan-led PTI).

Watch: Nawaz Sharif manages to interact with reporters from Abu Dhabi via phone, urges media to support PML-N’s cause

Nawaz urges media to support PML-N cause@pmln_org @president_pmln @MaryamNSharif @PmlnMedia #NawazSharif pic.twitter.com/8OUQNsqYtZ

— The_Nation (@The_Nation) July 13, 2018

At Adiala prison, Nawaz and Maryam will have to apply for better jail facilities 

According to a report  Dawn , the current prison rules in Punjab province, Nawaz Sharif may be allowed to serve his term in a ‘Better Class’ category cell, s by virtue of being a former parliamentarian. However, he will have to give a written application for the same. Meanwhile, Maryam can only request the privilege if she can prove that she has paid at least  Rs 600,000 as annual income tax, the report said.

Those lodged in the ‘Better Class jails’ are entitled to books and newspapers, a 21-inch television, a table and a chair, a mattress, personal bedding and clothing and food. However, the prisoner must pay for these services themselves. Maryam’s husband, Captain Safdar (retd) is also lodged in the same jail and is eligible for the better class cell by the virtue of being a former army man. He, however, has not applied for the facility yet.

Punjab Police issues detention orders of PML-N leaders

The police force in Pakistan’s Punjab province has issued detention orders for senior PML-N leaders. Local media reports claim that several important leaders have either been detained or have been placed under informal house arrest to prevent them from mobilising supporters ahead of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam’s arrival.

Nawaz Sharif says left behind an unconscious ailing wife, ready for any eventuality 

In a footage aired by NDTV,  Nawaz Sharif can be heard as saying that he is arriving in Pakistan with a goal. He said that the people of Pakistan and the media should also take a stand. He said that he has left the side of his ailing wife while she was unconscious. “I am coming back with a purpose,” Nawaz was heard telling someone on phone.

Mobile phones services snapped in Lahore between 3 and 12pm, say reports

NAB team to arrest Nawaz and Maryam soon upon arrival; will be shifted to Attock Fort

According to a report by Dunya News , a three-member team of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has reached Abu Dhabi to arrest Nawaz and Maryam. The NAB team will keep the duo in Adiala Jail for one day and then will shift them to Attock Fort.

The NAB team, headed by Amjad Ali, also includes women police officers to accompany Maryam. The duo will be arrested as soon as they arrive in Pakistan and will be shifted to Adiala jail through a helicopter. A letter has also been dispatched to the Accountability Court (AC) judge Muhammad Bashir to reach Adiala jail on 13 July.

Nawaz Sharif’s grandson Junaid Safdar released by London Police after brief detention

The London Police has released without charge Maryam Nawaz’s son Junaid Safdar and Zakaria Sharif, son of Hussain Nawaz, after arresting them on Thursday night following a brawl with protesters outside the Avenfield apartments. Maryam and Nawaz have been sentenced to a prison term in their home state for allegedly amassing huge wealth outside Pakistan.

Shehbaz Sharif lashes out at Imran Khan for calling party workers donkeys

Shehbaz Sharif hit back at PTI president Imran Khan for calling party workers donkeys. He said that Imran Khan neither knows politics nor morality, he will see millions of PML-N workers will reach to welcome their leader, Dunya News reported.

‘Caretakers have become undertaker’: Senior PML-N leader Khwaja Asif’s jibe at interim govt  

Caretakers have become undertakes....crack down everywhere...massive road blocks at Nandipur...workers determined to cross the barriers..

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) July 13, 2018

Bilawal Bhutto’s flight from Lahore airport has been cancelled 

PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto was scheduled to fly from Lahore to Peshawar on Friday. However, his flight has been cancelled following intense security arrangements at the airport ahead of former Paksitani PM Nawaz Sharif’s arrival.

Pakistan rangers take over security arrangements at Lahore airport

According to local media reports, Pakistan Rangers have been deployed at the Lahore airport ahead of the arrival or Nawaz and Maryam in Pakistan. The duo could be taken in custody immediately on arrival, following a Pakistan court sentencing them to prison in a corruption case. The area has been cordoned off and the highest security arrangements have been made. The authorities have been put on high alert to foil any protests by the former prime minister’s supporters.

Imran Khan calls PML-N supporters trying to go to receive Nawaz Sharif ‘donkeys’ 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan said that those receiving embattled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore were “donkeys,” ANI reported. His comments evoked a strong response from the PML-N with Shehbaz Sharif denouncing PTI chief’s comments.

Watch: PML-N claims Nawaz Sharif given ‘full VIP treatment’ in Abu Dhabi, shares video of  former Pakistan PM at airport

PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif got full VIP protocol from the UAE government. pic.twitter.com/oZ1Tx9flFx

— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 13, 2018

Shehbaz Sharif, his son Hamza to walk down to airport with supporters to receive Nawaz and Maryam 

PML-N leader and son of Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza told reporters on Friday that the party leaders will go to receive Nawaz and Maryam at the Lahore airport. He said that the authorities may stop them from holding a procession or bringing a cavalcade, “but we will walk down to greet him.”

“He has left behind his ailing wife to come to Pakistan,” Hamza was quoted as saying by Dunya News.

Mobile internet services down in Lahore ahead of PML-N rally

According to  Geo TV,  the government forces have strengthened the security arrangements at the Lahore airport, ahead of the arrival of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam. Mobile internet services have been suspended in Lahore in view of the security arrangements.

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam held at Abu Dhabi airport lounge 

According to India Today,  Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz have been held at the Abu Dhabi airport. The duo have been reportedly confined to the first class lounge at the airport and are not allowed to see any visitors. They will start their journey for Pakistan at around 3.40 pm.

PML-N members protest against workers’ arrests in Lahore

In a massive crackdown on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), over 300 workers and leaders of the party were detained in Lahore ahead of the arrival of its ’lifetime’ leader Nawaz Sharif, who would be arrested along with his daughter and transported and be moved to a jail via a helicopter. 

@pmln_org workers protesting against workers' arrests in Lahore @MaryamNSharif @president_pmln #NawazSharif pic.twitter.com/rTKNrgD8HW

— The_Nation (@The_Nation) July 13, 2018

Lahore HC orders Punjab govt to release PML-N workers by 2 pm

According to _ The News International , t_he Lahore High Court on Friday ordered the Punjab government to release the detained PML-N workers by 2 pm (2.30 pm IST). During the proceedings, the court was told that 141 persons were detained by the law enforcement agencies.

PML-N convoy leaves from Peshwar 

PML-N convoy , led by Amir Muqam, has left from Peshawar to welcome former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, reported Dunya News.

Shehbaz Sharif appeals to people to come to Lahore airport

In a video tweeted on the PML-N handle, party chief Shehbaz Sharif said: Today, we have to welcome Nawaz Sharif, who has left his ailing wife in London, at Lahore airport. People are already gathering to go to the airport. PML-N workers should come along with me to welcome our Quaid."

President Pakistan Muslim League (N) Shehbaz Sharif's message before leaving with a rally to receive Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at Lahore airport. pic.twitter.com/nTcrM1eyyK

— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 13, 2018

Mobile services suspended in Lahore from 3-11 pm

Owing to the “sensitive” nature of Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam’s return to Pakistan, Punjab officials have decided to suspend mobile services in some parts of Lahore from 3 pm to 11 pm.

لاہور کے کچھ علاقوں میں آج 3 بجے سے رات 11 بجے تک موبائل سروسں بند رہے گی, نوٹسں جاری#Lahore @pid_gov @pmln_org @president_pmln @CMShehbaz @PTIofficial #ُؐPMLN #Mobile #Service #Suspended pic.twitter.com/19lWA7YlBb

— Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (@Nawaiwaqt_) July 13, 2018

WATCH: Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam during transit at Abu Dhabi airport

#NawazSharif and @MaryamNSharif move in Abu Dhabi airport for EY243 pic.twitter.com/kfC5mniiU8

— Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (@Nawaiwaqt_) July 13, 2018

Those going to receive Nawaz, Maryam at airport ‘must be a donkey’: Imran Khan

PTI chief Imran Khan on Thursday said that whoever goes to receive ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz at the Lahore airport “must be a donkey”, reported Dawn. “Nawaz and his daughter are not coming to Pakistan after winning laurels for the country but as convicted criminals who had stolen the nation’s Rs300 billion and laundered money abroad. Nawaz Sharif is trying to pose himself as Nelson Mandela,” the report quoted him as saying.

2,000 Pakistan Rangers deployed at Lahore airport

According to Dawn , nearly 2,000 Pakistan Rangers have been deployed for guarding the airport ahead of Nawaz Sharif and his daughter’s arrival. The report said that three choppers have been stationed at Lahore, Islamabad and Noor Khan Air Base in Rawalpind.

All you need to know about Nawaz Sharif’s run-in with law

Here is a timeline of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s tryst with the law. 

Image courtesy: Twitter/@News18Graphics

Father-daughter duo to return via flight EY 243

Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Nawaz are at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Their flight Etihad Airways’ EY 243 will depart from Abu Dhabi around 3.40 pm IST.

PML-N workers participate in rally to welcome Nawaz Sharif at Lahore airport

Rally from Kpk leaves for Lahore airport to receive their Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and @MaryamNSharif pic.twitter.com/5fRQOGNRIS

— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 13, 2018

Last throw of dice from Nawaz

​
Nawaz Sharif’s video message, posted on Twitter by his daughter Maryam Nawaz, is the veritable last throw of the dice. The former Pakistan prime minister knows that he and his daughter (the ostensible heir-apparent of PML-N) will be arrested as soon as they land in Lahore. The duo will be taken to the NAB in Islamabad. Two waiting choppers will transfer them from directly from the airport to the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. There will be hundreds of elite commandos and more than 20 court-mandated officials to oversee the operation. Lahore has put under lockdown. Hundreds and hundreds of PML-N party workers have been arrested, media has been gagged and internet services suspended. The road to the airport has been sealed off.

The point of the exercise is to ensure that Nawaz does not get the chance to mobilise the public and gain sympathy votes in the 25 July elections. Nawaz, meanwhile, has recorded a video message on board the aircraft. He says he has made the “supreme sacrifice” in returning to Pakistan to court arrest and has done everything under his control to honour the commitment that he had made to Pakistani people, urging them to repay the trust. His daughter has posted a series of tweets on how she had to leave an ailing mother and her kids to face an uncertain future in Pakistan. The attempt is clear. Pushed against the wall and bereft of options, the father-daughter duo is banking on social media’s reach to tilt the scales in their favour in an unequal battle.

PML-N workers ‘sacrifice’ goats to mark Nawaz Sharif’s return

In a video posted on PML-N’s twitter account , party workers could be seen slitting a goat’s throat as a sacrifice to mark the return of Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan.

A brief history of the Avenfield corruption case

Pakistan’s ousted premier Nawaz Sharif was sentenced in absentia to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined over $10 million by an accountability court in one of the three corruption cases against him in the high-profile Panama Papers scandal on 6 July. 

The Avenfield case was among the three corruption cases filed against the former premier and his children by the NAB on the Supreme Court’s orders in the Panama Papers case which disqualified Sharif.

The Avenfield case hearing lasted for more than nine months and both Sharif and his daughter attended dozens of hearings.

During the trial, the NAB presented around 21 witnessed to prove that Sharif family cannot justify the money trail to buy four apartments in Avenfield House, Park Lane, London.

It is alleged that the properties were allegedly bought with graft money in 1990s when he served twice as the prime minister.

Pakistani journalists try to discreetly film Sharif at Abu Dhabi airport

According to BBC journalist Secunder Kermani, Pakistani journalists attempted to discreetly film Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz getting off the plane, while being rebuked by local security officials.

Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz arrive at Abu Dhabi airport... Pakistani journalists trying to discreetly film them getting off the plane and in the process getting angrily told off by local security

— Secunder Kermani (@SecKermani) July 13, 2018

Pakistani media regulator orders TV channels to stop live telecast of political leaders’ briefings; PTV obliges

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has reportedly ordered television channels to stop live telecast of briefings of political leaders containing “defamatory and derogatory content”, reported NDTV . The regulator claimed that “malicious and indecent content” was being aired live by television channels. It sought telecast of only edited footage.

Following the order, state-run Pakistan Television  (PTV) has decided not to air Nawaz Sharif and Maryam’s speeches on its channel.

Two helicopters to be used to transport Nawaz Sharif, Maryam

The National Accountability Court has arranged two helicopters for shifting former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz to Islamabad after arresting them upon their entry into Pakistan, reported Geo News. Coincidentally, it is the same chopper Sharif used while he was in power. According to Interior Ministry sources, their names have also been put on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Pakistan is Nawaz Sharif’s first love, says brother Shehbaz

“Pakistan is Nawaz Sharif’s first love & even jail cannot stop him from doing his duty towards the country,” PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif said on Twitter ahead of Nawaz’s arrival in Lahore. 

Rumours are being spread about cancellation of Nawaz Sharif's flight. Both he & Maryam are coming to Lahore according to the schedule. Pakistan is Nawaz Sharif's first love & even jail cannot stop him from doing his duty towards the country. #SSpresser

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 12, 2018

Shehbaz Sharif tours Lahore to motivate people for Nawaz’s ‘welcome’

PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif visited different parts of Lahore on Thursday night to motivate people to join the rally to the airport to “welcome” his elder brother Nawaz on Friday, reported Dawn . He also asked them to vote for the party in the 25 July elections. 

He also said that the former Pakistan prime minister was not returning to Pakistan for any personal benefit but for the sake of people.

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif’s grandsons arrested in London

Grandsons of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Junaid Safdar and Zakaria Hussain were arrested by London police for punching a demonstrator outside the Sharif residence in Park Lane on Thursday. Safdar is Maryam’s son, while Hussain is Hussain Nawaz’s son.

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam to be held in Adiala Jail for a day

Quoting Dunya News,  Newsweek Pakistan  reported that Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz will be held in Adiala Jail for one day and then be imprisoned in Attock Jail.

‘Doing this for people of Pakistan’: Nawaz Sharif

In a video taken aboard his flight to Abu Dhabi from London, former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif said that he will be taken to the jail straight from the airport and that he was doing it for the people of Pakistan. “I’ll be taken straight to jail. But I’m doing this for people of Pakistan, sacrificing for generations to come. Such opportunity won’t come again. Let’s build destiny of Pakistan together,” he said, 

قائد پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن محمد نواز شریف کا قوم کے نام پیغام pic.twitter.com/0f5FkKih7c

— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 13, 2018

Why Pakistan army hates Nawaz

​What’s happening in Pakistan is the manifestation of an intense battle between the civilian political leadership and the military-intelligence establishment.

Pakistan’s military, which has ruled the nation for 33 years in its seven-decade existence, sees Sharif and his party, PML-N, as the chief threat to its stranglehold over Pakistan’s security and foreign policy. The generals in Rawalpindi are deeply suspicious of Nawaz because they saw, in the former prime minister’s attempt to establish primacy of the civilian leadership, a mortal threat to their hold over levers of perpetual power. This suspicion was exacerbated by Nawaz’s repeated attempts to bring some sort of stability in the India-Pakistan relationship, because good India-Pakistan ties reduces Pakistan army’s importance.

Therefore, the battle against Nawaz was taken to its logical conclusion by co-opting the judiciary so that the silent coup gets judicial sanction, and now the army is doing everything within its power to neutralise the threat posed by Nawaz and his still popular party.

10,000 police officers deployed across Lahore

Around 10,000 police officers have been deployed across the city to maintain law and order. Lahore police has also placed containers on the city roads leading to the airport. A narrow passage has been left for motorists where police have been deployed for checking.

Security tightened in Lahore ahead of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz’s arrival

Pakistani media agency Dunya News tweeted a photo of a deserted street in Lahore ahead of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam’s arrival in Lahore. They are set to be arrested following conviction in a corruption case. Security has been tightened in the city ahead of their landing. 

Security beefed up in Lahore ahead of Nawaz, Maryam arrival https://t.co/0P70a3wQif pic.twitter.com/EJ8s90LKJD

— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) July 13, 2018

Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam heads to catch flight to Lahore

Pakistani Urdu daily, Nawai Waqt tweeted an image of Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam moving to catch the Ettihad Airways EY243 flight to Lahore.

#NawazSharif and @MaryamNSharif move in Abu Dhabi airport for EY243 pic.twitter.com/kfC5mniiU8

— Daily Nawa-i-Waqt (@Nawaiwaqt_) July 13, 2018

Told my children to be brave in face of oppression, says Maryam Nawaz

Before leaving London, Maryam Nawaz had shared images of her bidding farewell to her friends and family. Ahead of her arrival in Pakistan, Maryam clarified on Twitter that their plan to come back remained “unchanged” while asking her children to be “brave in the face of oppression”.

Told my kids to be brave in the face of oppression. But kids will still be kids. Goodbyes are hard, even for the grownups. pic.twitter.com/ge17Al5gfY

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 12, 2018

Ready to go to jail with Nawaz and Maryam, says former PM’s mother

Earlier on Wednesday, Nawaz Sharif’s mother released a video where she claimed that the father-daughter duo were innocent and that if they are jailed, she will go to jail with them.

میرے بچوں کو ووٹ کو عزت دو کا نعرہ لگانے کی سزا دی جارہی ہے. اگر انہیں جیل بھیجا گیاتو میں بھی انکے ساتھ جاوں گی pic.twitter.com/VnjwMUE0Z4

— PMLN (@pmln_org) July 12, 2018

Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam to be arrested in Lahore on arrival, to be shifted to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Javed Iqbal has ordered taking all necessary measures to arrest Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam upon their arrival at the airport. He has also formed a 16-member team to arrest them and shift them to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi after producing them at the accountability court in Islamabad that sentenced the father-daughter duo last week.

— With inputs from PTI

**Over 300 PML-N workers and leaders detained in Lahore, sent for 30-**day custody 

In a massive crackdown on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), over 300 workers and leaders of the party were detained in Lahore ahead of the arrival of its ’lifetime’ leader Nawaz Sharif, who would be arrested along with his daughter and transported and be moved to a jail via a helicopter.

Lahore police has also placed containers on the city roads leading to the airport. A narrow passage has been left for motorists where police have been deployed for checking.

“Over 100 police commandos will be deployed at the airport on Friday to avert any untoward incident,” senior Lahore police officer Sardar Asif said.

He said the police are taking only anti-social elements into custody ahead of Sharif’s arrival. He said the arrested PML-N activists have been detained for 30 days under public order.

Read the full story here .

Nawaz, daughter Maryam arrives at Abu Dhabi International airpor****t

Ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz arrived at the Abu Dhabi international airport on Friday morning. According to reports, the father-daughter duo took an Ettihad Airways EY18 flight from London.

According to Dawn, the Sharifs are expected to arrive in Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport at 6.15 pm. Nawaz and Maryam will be flying from Abu Dhabi to Lahore on Etihad Airways flight EY243.

Abu Dhabi airport. pic.twitter.com/CtUK3vCkMu

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 13, 2018