ISLAMABAD, Dec 15: Former NWFP chief minister Aftab Sherpao, who may return home on Jan 5, will be arrested the moment he lands in the country, said NAB Prosecutor General Raja Bashir, answering a question.

He said: “Though I have no knowledge about his return, the moment he arrives, he will be arrested for being an absconder”.

Aftab Sherpao, who went abroad after corruption references had been filed against him for abusing his official authority, is reportedly reaching Peshawar on Jan 5 from London after a brief stop-over in Qatar. His arrival coincides with the birthday of Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Political observers believe that his presence in the country could be beneficial in rebuilding ties with the post-Taliban government in Afghanistan as Sherpao commands a considerable influence on his people — Pakhtoons.

Mr Sherpao had been declared proclaimed offender by an accountability court in Peshawar and was later convicted to three-year rigorous imprisonment under section 31-A of the NAB Ordinance for neglecting court’s orders.