Section 144 to be imposed at Lahore airport before Sharif's arrival

LAHORE: The caretaker Punjab government has decided to impose Section 144 in the areas adjoining the Lahore airport to avoid any untoward incident during the arrival and likely arrest of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, who have been convicted by an accountability court in the Avenfield reference case, are scheduled to arrive on Friday July 13 in Lahore.

They are likely to be arrested upon arrival at the Lahore airport. Scores of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters are also expected to arrive at the airport to receive them.

Therefore, the provincial government has decided to impose Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code prohibiting assembly of more than five persons in an area.

The provincial can also seek assistance from the Rangers if required. At least 24 spots in Lahore have been declared sensitive for security reasons, and a plan has also been devise to deploy 2,500 security personnel.

The National Accountability Bureau has also decided to transfer Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz through helicopter to Adiala Jail. The interior ministry has already placed their names on the Exit Control List.

On July 6, an accountability court sentenced former premier Nawaz Sharif to ten years in prison while Maryam Nawaz was sentenced to seven years. Both were also ordered to pay hefty fines, while retired captain Safdar who is now under arrest, was sentenced to one year imprisonment.