RAWALPINDI: The return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to the capital on Monday was a comparatively low-key affair, compared to the pomp and circumstance amid which he left the twin cities, via GT Road.

The ousted PM, who was in London to tend to his ailing wife, Kulsoom, landed at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport around 8am.

The former PML-N chief arrived via Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-786 and was received by party leaders and ministers, with very few workers and supporters on hand to welcome the elder Sharif.

“There was no plan to bring out party workers to the airport. Those who came, did so on their own; the party did not inform workers about this,” a senior PML-N leader told Dawn.

However, he said that party workers would gather at the accountability court where Mr Sharif was due to appear today (Tuesday) and preparations were being made in this regard.

On the other hand, several state functionaries and cabinet members were on hand to greet the former PM when he arrived.

Party office bearers and workers who had gathered at the airport chanted slogans in his favour and the terminal reverberated with cries of: “Wazir-i-Azam Nawaz Sharif”. Party workers also presented bouquets to the former prime minister.

However, Mr Sharif did not speak to reporters who were waiting for him and proceeded to the Punjab House in Islamabad amid tight security. The Airport Security Force did not allow media men to take their cameras inside the airport.

Those present at the airport to receive Nawaz Sharif included: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi, acting PML-N president Sardar Yaqoob, Senator Chaudhry Tanvir Ali Khan, Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir, Law Minister Zahid Hamid, KP Governor Iqbal Zafar Jaghra, former governor Mehtab Abbasi, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Capital Administration and Development Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Dr Asif Kirmani, IT minister Anusha Rehman, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Barrister Zafarullah.

In addition, Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser, MNAs Abdul Qayyum, Malik Abrar Ahmed, Raja Javed Ikhlas, former MNA Malik Shakil Awan, provincial minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, MPA Zaibunnisa Awan, MPA Tehsin Fawad and some union councils chairmen and prominent workers were also on hand to greet the former PM.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2017