Nawaz, Maryam reach Abu Dhabi, expected to reach Lahore by 6pm

LAHORE: Convited former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz have reached Abu Dhabi.

The father-daughter duo is expected to reach Lahore at 6pm on Friday.

Earlier, Nawaz said in a video message, ” I know I have been sentenced for 10 years and that I will be taken straight to prison.”

Meanwhile, Maryam said, “Please support me and walk with me at every step.”

” We must change the country’s future and this opportunity will not come again,” she added.

On the other hand, Punjab police decided earlier on Friday to detain senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders including former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique ahead of PML-N supremo and convicted former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s arrival.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Syed Kaleem Imam had reportedly written to the Lahore deputy commissioner (DC) and ordered the detention of at least seven senior PML-N leaders and one leader’s house arrest for 30 days.

Party leaders to be detained also included Saad Rafique’s brother Salman Rafique, Bilal Yasin, Malik Saiful Malook, Mian Marghoob, Waheed Alam Khan and Khawaja Imran Nazir.

Earlier in the day, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had directed the authorities concerned to release all illegally detained Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers by 2pm.