Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — whose six-week bail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case expired on Tuesday — reached Kot Lakhpat Jail a little after midnight on Wednesday after travelling to the prison as part of a convoy comprising hundreds of PML-N supporters and party leaders.
Nawaz had left his Jati Umra residence in Lahore for the jail with a procession of PML-N workers led by Maryam Nawaz around 8:30pm. Although the PML-N supremo was meant to reach the prison before midnight, his motorcade progressed slowly due to the traffic jam caused by the supporters. He eventually reached the jail around 12:15am. A heavy contingent of police was deployed on the road adjoining the jail.
“Took us four hours to reach Kotlakhpat from Raiwind which is hardly 30 mins drive […] Now at the entrance. Thank you Lahore,” tweeted Maryam. In a video message shared by his daughter on Twitter, Nawaz thanked his “beloved workers” and residents of Lahore for accompanying him on the journey to jail. “Their passion and prayers will bear fruit and this night of tyranny will come to an end,” he said.
The PML-N leader said he would be free from the “dark lock-up” of the jail with his supporters’ prayers, adding: “I know that they (supporters) know what sin I am being punished for.” Power show
A party leader had told Dawn that the procession will serve as a response to critics of the party who believe that the PML-N has lost the ability to mobilise support on the streets. The official also said the party cadre were directed to mobilise the masses and make arrangements for Iftar for those who are likely to join the procession.
PML-N Punjab information secretary Asma Zahid Bukhari had dismissed the impression that the procession was a ‘power show’ and said that people would show up out of affection for their leader, while MPA Saiful Mulook claimed that no call had been given to workers for the event planned
Shehbaz Sharif announces his return to Pakistan after Nawaz jailed
Shehbaz Sharif, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and president of the PML-N, has announced his return to Pakistan a day after his brother was jailed.
Three-time former premier Nawaz Sharif was sent back to Kot Lakhpat Jail after his bail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case expired and the court refused to extend it.
In a statement, Shehbaz, who is currently in London, said the people who wanted to see them run away have run away themselves.
Source: dawn.com
Saturday, May 2, 2026
