PML-N secures ‘guarantee’ on Nawaz’s return issue

Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former federal interior minister Rana Sanaullah said on Wednesday that the party was provided with the guarantee it had sought for the return of Nawaz Sharif.

Speaking in the Express News programme 'Hashtag Siyasat', Sana insisted that the PML-N Quaid’s acquittal from courts was almost certain, indicating that Nawaz’s return was set in stone now.

“We have received the guarantee on this issue [Nawaz Sharif's return home]. So now there is zero risk for the party,” the former interior minister told the interviewer. “Nawaz Sharif's acquittal has also been almost certain,” he added.

The statement of Rana Sana, also the PML-N Punjab president, came hours after the senior party leadership remained divided on the return of Nawaz at a consultative meeting chaired by party President Shehbaz Sharif.

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In the meeting, some leaders were of the opinion that the three-time former prime minister should return to the country by mid-September, while others held the view that October would prove more suitable for the purpose.

Some party leaders also took the position that Nawaz should return only after eliminating all the obstacles in his way – the court cases. They stressed that they did not want to take any risk on his return.

Nawaz has been living in self-imposed exile in the UK since November 2019. He was convicted in the Al-Azizia Mills and Avenfield corruption cases in 2018. He was awarded a seven-year imprisonment.

Some PML-N leaders revealed on Wednesday that the party had been working on two plans for the return of Nawaz Sharif – one involved his landing in Islamabad and the other involved his arrival in Lahore.

PML-N sources said that Nawaz would be given a warm welcome upon his arrival either in Lahore or Islamabad, adding however, that a bail application would be filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) before his return.

“If Nawaz Sharif reached Islamabad from London, he will be warmly welcomed and a big rally will be held in the Parade Ground,” a source said, adding that the former prime minister would proceed to Lahore from Islamabad via GT Road.

“On the way in the form of a big procession, the PML-N Quaid will also address supporters at various places on GT Road. And a historic public gathering will be held in Lahore,” the source added.

In case, Nawaz decided to land at Lahore Airport, the source continued, he would be given a historic welcome. After reaching Lahore, the PML-N supremo would also pay his respects at the Data Darbar, the source added.