Sharif sons return after seven years

Hasan, Hussain arrive in Lahore, Nawaz welcomes sons at Jati Umra

The sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, made returned to the country after seven years on Tuesday following the suspension of their arrest warrants by an accountability court.

Sources within the Sharif family revealed that the brothers touched down at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, where they were swiftly transported under tight security to Jati Umra, the ancestral home of the family.

PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif warmly welcomed them at Jati Umra. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, their sister, also met with her brothers, who paid respects at their late mother Kulsoom Begum's grave and offered Fatiha.

The warrant suspension came after the Islamabad court, on March 8, revoked the obligation for Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz to appear in the relevant court, a status held for seven years.

Also read: Nawaz sons' arrest warrants temporarily lifted

An accountability court judge, Nasir Javed Rana, announced the decision in a verdict reserved earlier that day, extending the suspension until March 14.

The warrants were initially issued when the court declared the brothers absconders, a status that has now been lifted. Last week, the accountability court suspended the arrest warrants in the Al-Azizia, Flagship, and Avenfield cases.

While Mr Sharif was convicted in the Al-Azizia reference in December 2018 but acquitted in the Flagship Investment reference, he, along with Maryam Nawaz and her husband retired Capt Safdar, challenged their convictions in the Avenfield reference before the Islamabad High Court.

Upon Mr Sharif's return to Pakistan in October last year, the IHC set aside his convictions, marking the latest chapter in the ongoing legal battles of the Sharif family.