November 25, 2007	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 14, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 24: A high-level official meeting held here on Sunday night decided to allow a `free passage’ to the Sharifs on their return from Saudi Arabia on Sunday afternoon with reported assurances from the PML-N that it will also not create any problem for the government on the occasion.

However, according to sources privy to the meeting, it was decided that no welcome procession would be allowed anywhere in the city in view of the already imposed ban on such activities under Section 144.

“We are going to enforce the ban but will give a free passage to the Sharif family to go to their residence or the shrine of Data Sahib”, a senior government officer said.

The meeting was held at the chief minister’s secretariat and it was reportedly attended by top brass of the provincial government.

Sources said the Sharifs would not be detained, but there were indications that they would themselves restrict their movement because of the law and order situation and the reported understanding already reached between them and the authorities concerned.

They said government’s main concern was the security of the Sharif family, including Mr Nawaz Sharif, his wife Kulsoom Nawaz and Mr Shahbaz Sharif, and their party activists during the reception.

They said the reception would be small-scale at the airport as only main leaders would reach there to receive the Sharifs. The party had also assured the government that a limited number of people would reach the airport as the Sharifs themselves wished to avoid creating any trouble, at least for the time being.

Despite being assured of full official security, sources claimed, there was a strong possibility that the family would not pay a ceremonial visit to Data Sahib shrine along a procession as had been planned by the party.

Meanwhile, top provincial government officials continued to discuss the law and order situation in the province, and the security arrangements for the Sharif family till late in the night.