Lahore: Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam, may be lodged either in Central Jail Kot Lakhpat in Lahore or in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Jail sources revealed that the father-daughter duo, who was sentenced to 10 years and 7 years of imprisonment respectively, could be classified as ‘B-Class’ prisoners if their living quarter is declared as a ‘sub-jail’, Geo TV reported.
As per prison rules, prisoners are lodged in a ‘sub-jail’ if there is a threat to their lives. They can wear regular clothes as compared to a standard jail uniform and can be allowed to have meals brought from their homes. The prisoners can also cook for themselves.
Inmates placed under ‘B-class’ can have free access to television, newspapers and air-conditioners, subject to permission from the Pakistan interior ministry, under Rule 245 of the prison regulations.
Under such rules, two prisoners can be placed at the service of a former prime minister or an important dignitary.
According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) sources, Sharif and Maryam will be arrested upon their return to Pakistan.
NAB sources added that the anti-corruption body has been issued a directive to arrest the duo upon their arrival to the country from London, Geo TV reported.
The NAB will obtain the arrest warrant of Maryam’s husband Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar from the accountability court, who has now been placed under the “blacklist” of the interior ministry.
On Friday, Sharif was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of eight million pounds in the Avenfield case, while Maryam was sentenced to 7 years of jail and fined two million pounds by the accountability court.
With this ruling, Maryam is barred from contesting the general elections slated to be held on July 25.
Her husband Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar was also sentenced to one year of imprisonment.
The court also issued permanent arrest warrants of Sharif’s sons – Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz respectively.
Sharif and Maryam are in London since June 14 visiting the former’s wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, who is undergoing cancer treatment there.
Hours after the pronouncement of the Avenfield reference case, Sharif said he was not a thief and would return to Pakistan soon after Kulsoom Nawaz regains consciousness, although he did not give a specific date or time.
(ANI)