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Lahore (Pakistan) (AFP) – Pakistani authorities on Friday blocked portions of Lahore for the return of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from London, who could be arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison for Tense Elections Sharif was sentenced in absentia last week to 10 years in prison by a corruption court for the purchase of high-end properties in London, bringing a serious blow to his Muslim League party in Pakistan -Nawaz (PML-N). He claimed to be targeted by the military.
"I know that … I will be taken directly to prison," he said in a video published by his
"I want to tell the Pakistanis that I am doing this for you … Walk with me, join me and change the destination of the country. "
AFP could not immediately confirm the production date of the video, which showed Sharif sitting on a plane.
On Thursday his brot Shahbaz Sharif, who now heads the PML-N, said that hundreds of their workers and supporters had been arrested before Nawaz's planned return in what he termed "pre-war". Pollution "of their party
. He promised to greet the former prime minister, saying that thousands of supporters would go to Lahore airport to support Nawaz. "The whole world knows that PML-N is targeted," Shahbaz said. "We will go to the airport tomorrow despite this brutality, and we will remain completely peaceful."
According to police chief Sajjad Hasan Man, up to 8,000 police officers are expected to be deployed in Lahore. Containers were seen blocking some Lahore roads on Friday morning, while travel to and from the airport was reportedly restricted.
Authorities have located at least 50 locations in the city to block if necessary Despite the crackdown, PML-N supporters continued to flock to the city, vowing to confront the authorities if it was contested.
"We go to the airport and if someone stops Khurram Ehsan, 36, told AFP:" We can go beyond our limits for our leader. "
– Fighting –
Nawaz left London on Thursday night,"
Analyst Zahid Hussain said that the return of the ex-leader was the last chapter of his long confrontation with the country's security establishment
"He fights for his political life," Hussain said AFP
However, he stayed Since Nawaz returned to London last month, the PML- N fell into disarray and failed to organize an organized campaign to rally the base before the elections.
"Certainly, it would have been worse for the party's prospects if it was not going to win. had not come, "he adds.
The election will pit the PML-N against its main rival, Tehreek-e-Insaf of Pakistan.
Recent elections tes showed that PTI's popularity steadily increased and bridged the gap with PML-N.
The election would only be the second democratic transfer of power in the world.
Nawaz was the 15th prime minister in the 70-year history of Pakistan – about half under the military regime – to be dismantled before completing his tenure.
Sharif clashed and fought – Similar challenges in the past.
In 1993, he was fired from his He was sentenced to life in prison in 1999, after the end of his second term with a military coup.
After the coup, he was allowed to exile in Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister for the third time in 2013.
The army remains the most powerful institution in the country and has faced stiff accusations in recent months that it is pressuring the media and politicians to manipulate PML surveys. -N
The Armed Forces denied the charges and declared that they had "no direct role" in the elections.
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