RAWALPINDI: The PML-N asked its workers to not go to the Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) on Thursday to welcome their leader Nawaz Sharif home due to fear of possible clashes with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team.

The former prime minister arrived at the BBIA on Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-786 at 8:16am.

Many of the party leaders had reached the airport to greet Mr Sharif. They included leader of the house in Senate Raja Zafrul Haq, federal ministers Khawaja Saad Raffique, Mushahidullah Khan, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Talal Chaudhry, Mohsin Ranjha, former information minister Pervaiz Rashid, Senators Chaudhry Tanveer, Saleem Raza, Asif Karmani, MNA Zahra Batool, Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz, Rawalpindi Mayor Sardar Naseem and former MNA Haji Pervez.

Party workers also directed not to go to accountability court today in order to avoid clashes with NAB, security officials

The former premier held a meeting with the party leaders in Rawal Lounge and discussed various issues with them. The party leaders inquired after the health of Begum Kalsoom Nawaz and prayed for her speedy recovery.

However, the party leaders had been told to come to the airport without workers. Earlier reports had suggested that PML-N workers would arrive at the airport in large numbers to give Mr Sharif a warm welcome when he came home to appear before the accountability court on Friday.

A senior PML-N leader told Dawn that the party leaders were worried over reports that Mr Sharif may be arrested.

“Party leaders explained to local leaders that the NAB team will be coming to the airport in order to serve the accountability court’s summon and that workers should not come to the airport in order to avoid a clash between workers and NAB officials,” he said.

The party had made preparations for welcoming its leader but changed the plans as there were also reports that some people may use the opportunity to instigate violence, he added.

However, the NAB team was not allowed inside the airport apron by security and Civil Aviation Authority staff and the team went to the Punjab House in Islamabad to serve the summons.

A senior official of the local police said there were no plans for arresting the former premier and that no instructions in this regard were received from the Punjab or federal governments. He said a security plan was prepared to bring Mr Sharif’s convoy to Koral Chowk where the Islamabad police would escort it to the Punjab House.

Some workers did come to the airport because they did not know of the change in plans, a senior party leader told Dawn.

However, they were not allowed in the airport and remained on the road along with MPAs and chanted slogans in favour of the former prime minister.

Talking to Dawn, PML-N Rawalpindi General Secretary Haji Pervez said Mr Sharif told party leaders he was thankful to the old workers for coming to the airport.

He said the PML-N had also told its leaders not to bring workers on Friday when Mr Sharif appears before an accountability court.

“The instructions were given in order to avoid clashes between workers and NAB or security officials,” he said.

When contacted, former MNA Malik Shakil Awan said the party leadership wanted to avoid clashes and that it had been made clear that workers would not go to the court in the form of rallies or groups.

“Members of the party’s general council will go to the court but not the party workers,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2017