SCREEN GRAB
ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Nawaz were sent to Adiala jail late on Friday night following their arrest at Allama Iqbal International Airport upon their return to the country.
The two were shifted to the Rawalpindi jail in separate vehicles after being flown to Islamabad in a special plane to serve sentence announced by the accountability court in Avenfield reference last week.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team arrested the duo amid stiff resistance at the airport. The roads leading to the airport were blocked as scuffles broke out between police and PML-N loyalists.
According to a notification issued by the chief commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), the Sihala police rest house was declared sub-jail for keeping the convicts till further notice.
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Media reports earlier suggested that the authorities had decided to divert the plane to Islamabad airport, concerning security threats.
Authorities took measures to contain PML-N's welcoming rally moving towards Lahore airport.
Lahore traffic route available here
Nawaz was sentenced in absentia last week to 10 years in prison by a corruption court over the purchase of high-end properties in London, dealing a serious blow to his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party's bid weeks ahead of the July 25 polls.
Talking to reporters from Abu Dhabi over the phone, the former PM said Pakistan had been turned into a battlefield.
He alleged that some forces were forcing the caretaker government to take harsh decisions in Punjab ahead of elections.
Nawaz urged Punjab caretaker chief minister Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi to resign or step down because “people of Punjab had lost faith in him”. The deposed PM questioned why such measures were being taken in Punjab alone.
To a question, he questioned the alleged curb on freedom of speech and asked the media to stand up against it.
10:40pm: NAB deputy prosecutor general Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi said the accountability court has issued warrants of imprisonment for the convicts.
He said the court has also appointed Islamabad's magistrate Waseem Ahmed as court representative for execution of the warrants of imprisonment on behalf of the court.
Meanwhile, the district administration has declared the premises of Sihala police training rest house as sub-jail for keeping the convicts. The security will be provided by Islamabad police.
10:18pm: The duo is likely to be produced before the accountability court before being shifted to Adiala jail. Judge Muhammad Bashir and NAB's prosecution team reach the court.
9:45pm: Scuffle witnessed at airport as workers attempted to resist the arrests. Maryam Nawaz restrained from walking towards the terminal. The duo taken into custody unharmed.
9:23pm: NAB team arrests Nawaz, Maryam as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confiscates their passports.
9:16pm: NAB team set to fly Nawaz, Maryam in helicopter to Islamabad.
8:48pm: Plane carrying former PM Nawaz, daughter Maryam lands at Lahore airport.
8:29pm: One of the party's rallies reach Mall Road after crossing all barriers.
8:24pm: PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif addresses media on Mall Road, says the people of Lahore have taken to streets and have rejected the caretaker government's measures to bar them from reaching the airport.
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8:15pm: Clashes also reported on Airport road in Lahore. Police use teargas shelling to restrain the party's workers from approaching the airport.
7:29pm: Clash reported between PML-N workers and police at Ravi bridge in Lahore, four police officials injured, shifted to Shahidreh hospital.
6:03pm: As the Etihad flight takes off, the father-daughter duo head back to Pakistan. You can track the flight here.
5:57pm: Nawaz and Maryam's flight is to take off at 5:58 pm, and is scheduled to arrive in Lahore at 8:48 pm, Etihad Airways confirmed.
5:20pm: PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif leads party rally. He is accompanied by Marriyum Aurangzeb, Tallal Chaudhry, Bilal Anis, and Mayor Lahore Lord Mubashir Javed.
4:52 pm: PML-N workers vandalise the car of police officials from Nuwakot police station. Workers with leaders Rana Mashood and Meher Ishtiaq smashed the windscreen of the vehicle. SP Iqbal Town Muhammad Ali reached the site and has started investigation against the perpetrators, SSP Operations Lahore Asad Sarfaraz Khan confirmed. "Those who try to take the law in their hands will be jailed," he added.
4:09 pm: Nawaz's flight from Abu Dhabi reportedly delayed.
4:04 pm: Police and more than 500 PML-N workers clash in Lahore's Chung area. Police official injured.
3:01 pm: PML-N rally from K-P encounters roadblocks over vital bridges leading to the provincial capital.
2:52 pm: Rangers halt rally being led by former foreign minister Khawaja Asif, claims PML-N.
2:49 pm: Rally being led by PML-N's NA-149 candidate Chaudhry Tufail runs across police blockade. Reports of dozens arrested including Chaudhry.
1:17 pm: LHC's Justice Anwar instructs top officials to release all arrested workers by 2 pm, claim PML-N leaders.
Early on Friday morning, Nawaz said he returning to the country despite know that prison awaits him.
"I want to tell the people of Pakistan that I am going to jail for them," he said in a video message posted by daughter Maryam Nawaz on Twitter.
Nawaz, Maryam depart for Pakistan
The PML-N supremo further said he would render the sacrifice for the future generations of the country. "I am sacrificing for the future generations of Pakistan." Asking the people for their support, he said the destiny of the country can change if the masses stay by his side as such opportunities do not come often.
Nawaz and Maryam left London late Thursday night to embark on their journey back to Pakistan. Photographs shared by the PML-N on Twitter showed the father-daughter duo meeting family, friends and party leaders for their goodbyes. The two are expected to reach Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport by 6:30 pm Friday evening.
Maryam also tweeted on Thursday that her mother Begum Kulsoom Nawaz had opened her eyes for a few seconds for the first time in weeks, she also requested her followers to pray for her mother’s well-being.
“First time in 30 days, Ami opened eyes for a few seconds. Don’t know if she saw or registered us. [Begum Nawaz] is still not conscious and on ventilator. Prayers solicited.”
PHOTO: TWITTERBefore departing for Pakistan, Maryam tweeted that her children remained defiant against all odds, and wished them farewell. “Told my kids to be brave in the face of oppression. But kids will still be kids. Goodbyes are hard, even for the grownups," she wrote.
PHOTO: TWITTER
PHOTO: TWITTERWill also go behind bars if ‘innocent’ Nawaz and Maryam arrested: ousted PM’s mother
On Thursday, former chief minister Punjab and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said that hundreds of their workers and supporters had been arrested ahead of Nawaz's expected return in what he said was "naked" pre-poll rigging against their party.
The younger Sharif brother has pledged to marshal a welcome for the former prime minister, saying thousands of supporters would travel to Lahore airport to back Nawaz. "We'll go to the airport tomorrow despite this brutality, and we will remain completely peaceful."
Containers could be seen blocking some Lahore roads on Friday morning, while travel to and from the airport had reportedly been restricted.
With additional updates from our correspondents in Islamabad and Lahore
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