PML-N decides not to adopt long-term agitation on Nawaz's return

Caretaker government is expected to take care of any worsening law and order situation upon Nawaz and Maryam's arrest

KARACHI: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided not to adopt a long-term agitation movement on return and expected arrest of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, sources said earlier on Thursday.

PML-N leadership is expected to gear up with their election campaign after a temporary protest that might occur after Nawaz and Maryam's arrival in Pakistan, party candidates are ordered to focus on their constituencies and win majority of the seats in the upcoming general elections.

Advising not to go for a long-term agitation strategy, Nawaz has sent a clear message to all PML-N leaders that they should only pay attention to their election campaigns.

The PML-N leadership fears that a long-term agitation will affect their electoral campaign to which their rivals Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other political parties will benefit.

According to PML-N sources speaking to Express News, PML-N leadership has discussed in detail on how to welcome Nawaz and Maryam and hold a public gathering on the occasion of their return.



Further pointing out, that if they're not allowed to receive their party leader and in any case get arrested at the airport, the reaction will be peaceful protests which includes demonstrations, march towards jail or sit-in outside the jail etc.

However, if the party goes for a long-term sit-in, it will not be implemented immediately. Protests will be organised in different areas while the election campaign will continue but the main focus is to win more and more seats from Punjab.

PML-N sources said that the PML-N has started meetings with other like-minded political parties to devise a future strategy. Nawaz and Maryam are expected to address their supporters and media briefly outside the airport before their arrest.

Similarly, government sources indicate that the NAB team will be provided with all possible support for Sharif's arrest. Legal action will be taken in case the law and order situation deteriorates. Possible actions include to disperse the crowds, arrests and registering the cases, as the situation suggested.



Punjab's caretaker government is expected to take care of any worsening law and order situation in the province, Nawaz and Maryam would probably be arrested as soon as their plane lands and they're shifted to the jail.

It is rumoured that Nawaz and Maryam would not be given any chance to address any public rally in case the law and order situation worsens. Another option is to divert their plane towards any other city, arrest them there and sent them to the jail under strict security arrangements.

PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan told Express News, "PML-N will organize a historic welcome on the return of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, protests will be organised if they're arrested "

Mushahidullah further said that the protests will not continue for long because PML-N is also required to campaign for the upcoming elections.