Former federal interior minister and senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Rana Sanaullah, has said on Wednesday that his party has obtained a “guarantee” now, paving the way for the return of PML-N head Nawaz Sharif.
Talking about his leader’s return on Express News’ ‘Hashtag Siyasat’, Sanaullah said that Nawaz Sharif’s innocence as declared by a court is indicates that the former Prime Minister will return.
“We have received the guarantee on this issue [Nawaz Sharif’s return home]. So now there is zero risk for the party,” the former minister said on the show. “Nawaz Sharif’s acquittal has also been almost certain,” he added.
Rana Sanaullah’s comments came after a consultative meeting of party leaders, chaired by party president Shehbaz Sharif. Senior leadership reportedly remained divided on the matter of Nawaz’s return.
While some leaders said that September is a good time for the party head to return, others thought that October would be more suitable.
A few party leaders reportedly expressed the opinion that Nawaz shouldn’t return until all of the legal challenges standing in his way have been resolved. They emphasised that they didn’t want to take any risks.
PML-N leaders revealed on Wednesday that the party is working on two plans: one is about Nawaz Sharif’s arrival in Islamabad, and the other is him landing in Lahore.
According to PML-N sources, a bail application will be filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) before Nawaz Sharif arrives in Pakistan, while plans are underway that he will be given a warm welcome upon his arrival in Islamabad or Lahore.
“If Nawaz Sharif reaches Islamabad from London, he would be warmly welcomed, and a big rally would 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 home, 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.
