Sharif, who has been living in exile in Jeddah since he was deported to Saudi Arabia after making an unsuccessful bid to return to Islamabad in September, would fly to Lahore in a special aircraft provided by the Saudi authorities, his nephew Hamza Sharif said.

“The flight will reach (Lahore) at 4 pm Pakistan time (4.30 pm IST). We have galvanised our party and are holding several meetings. The party is gearing up to accord him a rousing welcome,” Hamza told Dawn News channel. Sharif will be accompanied by his brother Shahbaz Sharif, who has also been living in exile in London.

Sharif’s return was cleared after he met Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh late on Friday night.
Asked what Pakistan Muslim League (N) would do if authorities tried to deport Sharif again, Hamza said: “When Mian Nawaz Sharif came on September 10, he burnt all his boats and was ready to face any consequences.

“The same is the case with him now. He is determined to come to his country. Whatever comes his way, he will face it. It is his fundamental right under the constitution to participate in the politics of Pakistan and duly fight the upcoming elections. “We are hopeful that no hurdles will be created (to his return) but if there are any, then we would face them,” he said.

PML-N leaders obtained nomination papers on behalf of Sharif, his brother Shahbaz Sharif and his wife Kulsoom in Lahore on Thursday.

PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal said the party’s central working committee would discuss the political situation and the option of boycotting the January 8 polls.