The flight carrying former premier Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz landed at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport around 8:45pm PST.
The two are expected to be arrested shortly and flown to Islamabad International Airport (IIA), either by a small plane or by helicopter. Upon landing at IIA, Nawaz and Maryam will either be flown to Adiala Jail or driven to Attock Jail.
Nawaz and Maryam were convicted by an accountability court in the Avenfield corruption reference last Friday and handed jail sentences of 10 years and seven years respectively. The former was found guilty of owning assets beyond known income, while his daughter was convicted for aiding and abetting her father in covering up a “conspiracy”.
After the verdict was announced, Nawaz and Maryam had said they would return to Pakistan and appeal against the decision. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Punjab governments had made arrangements to take the father-daughter duo into custody upon arrival.
Their flight home took off from Abu Dhabi around 5pm local time and landed in Pakistan at around 8:45pm PST.
In Lahore, authorities have braced to maintain law and order, as a large number of PML-N workers and supporters have gathered in various parts of Lahore to welcome the ousted premier and his daughter.
There are roadblocks in some areas.
PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, whose caravan had gathered at Lohari Gate, is leading the main welcoming rally to the airport to accord his brother and PML-N supremo Nawaz a warm welcome.
He is currently at Charing Cross, on his way to the airport. According to media reports, no PML-N supporters have been allowed onto airport premises.
