Sharif, daughter land amid Lahore lockdown

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz landed here on Friday night and are expected to be arrested, a week after they were handed prison sentences on corruption charges.

They had departed from Abu Dhabi after their flight was delayed for over two hours. They had left London a day earlier.

The plane carrying them flew into the Allama Iqbal International Airport. Pakistani officials said the two may be taken to Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said it has arranged two helicopters, which are expected to shift the father-daughter duo to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

NAB Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal (retd) has warned that strict action would be taken against anyone who obstructs the arrest of the PML-N leaders. The party, however, has claimed that it would only take out a peaceful rally at the airport to welcome its leader.

Earlier, reports suggested that the authorities had decided to divert the plane to Islamabad airport, citingsecurity threats.

Authorities have also taken measures to contain a PML-N welcoming rally moving towards Lahore airport.

Nawaz was sentenced in absentia last week to 10 years in prison by an anti-corruption court over the purchase of high-end properties in London, dealing a serious blow to his party's bid days ahead of the July 25 polls.

--IANS

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