RAWALPINDI, May 9: The government has decided to put in place contingency plans at all the airports 12 hours before the expected arrival of PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif, an official source told Dawn on Sunday.

In this regard, a police team, headed by Islamabad chief commissioner Junaid Iqbal, has been formed to cope with the situation, if Mr Sharif lands at Islamabad airport, the source said.

"It has been decided that Rawalpindi police will handle the situation. However, the Islamabad chief commissioner will be in charge of the operation," he said. As part of the contingency plan, roads leading to the airport would be sealed a few hours before the expected arrival of the PML-N president.

The passengers having valid tickets, and car drivers would be allowed to go inside the airport. Sources told Dawn that it was being speculated among government circles that Mr Sharif might arrive along with his wife and children ahead of his schedule.

Though, Mr Shahbaz had announced that he would be arriving in Lahore on May 11, security preparations have been made at all the major airports of the country.

As part of the security arrangements at the Islamabad airport, a 12-member police team, including five women officers, has been deployed at the international arrival lounge. Earlier, a red alert had been put in place at all the airports of the country in the wake of hijacking threat.