Nawaz likely to return after Eid ‘to face court’

LAHORE:

A day after the issuance of a 10-year valid passport for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Federal Minister Mian Javed Latif on Tuesday disclosed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz quaid was returning after Eid to face the courts.

“If not arrested upon arrival, Nawaz will most likely lead the rallies planned by the PML-N [to counter the PTI gatherings],” he said. “These were supposed to be led by PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz from May 6.”

Dispelling rumours about Maryam trying to flee the country, the minister said she would return if she was allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia as she had to lead the PML-N rallies.

Maryam began her mobilisation drive from Tuesday, holding a party workers’ meeting in NA 128, Lahore which is MNA Sheikh Rohail Ashgar’s constituency.

She was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz.

Maryam will hold her next party workers’ meeting in MPA Saiful Malook’s constituency.

On the sidelines, the PML-N VP has also sought permission from court to fly abroad, which led to speculations regarding her return.

On the matter, Minister Latif said if Maryam was not allowed to travel, she would continue holding as many constituency wise meetings as possible before and post Eid.

Read Govt issues ‘ordinary’ passport to Nawaz

Laying out the schedule of rallies, the PML-N MNA said the first rally was scheduled for May 6 in Attock, second for May 8 in Okara, then two in K-P before one on May 15 in Vehari.

He added that from there onwards, there would be rallies in Mianwali, Chakwal, Rahim Yar Khan before proceeding to Sindh, where so far a rally had been planned in Karachi.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Latif said the schedule was slightly different when it was issued earlier, adding that somewhere towards the last leg of these rallies, the part would begin preparations to welcome PML-N Quaid Nawaz.

The minister said the date of Nawaz’s return had not been finalised, but he would return next month.

“The party has planned a series of activities post Mian sb’s return,” he said. “If he is not arrested upon arrival, then Nawaz will lead the activities but if otherwise, then the activities will be put on hold.”

This was not the first time that whisperings about Nawaz’s return had surfaced. The PML-N leaders, including Latif, had made similar claims before as well.