Lahore police refuses to provide security to Nawaz Sharif

Dunya News

The PML-N leadership has directed the party workers to gather at the Shanghai Flyover

LAHORE (Dunya News) – As former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will return to jail later today following the expiry of his six-week bail in a corruption case, Lahore police on Tuesday while expressing concern over Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rally from Jati Umra to jail said that Nawaz Sharif should be taken to the jail before sun set.

Sharif will surrender to the jail authorities after Iftar and the PML-N has planned to take him to the jail in form of a rally.

Sharif will arrive at the prison in a rally led by his daughter and PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz. She will lead the "solidarity march" of party workers from the Sharif s residence in Jati Umra to the jail.

Sources said that Sharif will offer fateha at the graves of his father Mian Muhammad Shareef, wife Kulsoom Nawaz and brother Abbas Sharif before departing for the jail. He also plans to open first Ramazan fast at Jati Umra after which he would leave for jail.

Flexes and banners have been erected across the city to show solidarity with the PML-N supremo.

The PML-N leadership has directed the party workers to gather at the Shanghai Flyover near Ferozpur Road for the solidarity rally.

Refusing to provide security to the three-times prime minister, Lahore police said that the personnel had been deputed at the mosques and centers of the religious minorities for security purpose.

On the other hand, the Home Department Punjab instructed Sharif to reach the jail by 6 pm on Tuesday and said his arrival in a procession would be against the law.

Protesting against the instructions, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said that Sharif s bail is valid till the midnight of May 7.

Earlier, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement that the rally will be led by Nawaz’s daughter Maryam Nawaz who will also accompany her father in the car to Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Earlier on May 3, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed the plea of Sharif to allow him to travel abroad for medical treatments. The SC also ruled that the former PM will have to surrender himself the day his bail ends.

The former premier was jailed at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail after an accountability court sentenced him to seven years after convicting him in the Al-Azizia case.