LAHORE, Jan 30: More people had turned up at the Heathrow Airport to receive Mian Nawaz Sharif on Sunday than the party had expected, and it was for this reason that the security agencies decided not to allow the exiled former prime minister to use the main exit, a party spokesman said on Monday.

Nadir Chaudhry, who received Mr Sharif at the airport, tried to approach the authorities to seek permission for the former prime minister to wave to the crowds who had come to receive him. But Mr Sharif disallowed him, saying the law of the land must be respected.

The party had assured the British authorities that not more than 500 people would come to receive the PML leader. But, those who actually turned up were four times as much.

The security agencies told Mr Sharif that in his own interest he should not use the main exit.

Mr Sharif was driven along with his wife, son and Mr Chaudhry to Slough, where he later addressed his party men.