Nawaz, Maryam return to Pakistan; expected to appear before court on Dec 19

LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz returned to Pakistan Sunday morning, Geo News reported. 

The former premier and his daughter returned on flight PK758, which landed at Lahore airport around 8AM, and have reached Jati Umra. 

Nawaz had travelled to London to meet his ailing wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, who is undergoing chemotherapy in London after being diagnosed with lymphoma — a cancer of the lymph nodes. 

Nawaz Sharif had departed for London on December 4 after being exempted from appearing before the court to attend to his ailing wife Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.

Nawaz had been granted exemption from appearing before the court till December 12. The last hearing for the case was conducted on the 11th and the next will be held on December 19, in which both Nawaz and Maryam are expected to appear before the court. 

Dual standard of law won’t be accepted: Nawaz

Reacting to Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen's case verdict, Nawaz said on Saturday that dual standard of law will not be accepted and the decision "speaks for itself".

"The decision speaks for itself," said the former prime minister while addressing media in London. "Everything we have said about double standards is being proven right."

Nawaz further said that such dual standards will not be tolerated and he would run a strong campaign against it.

“My struggle is for the supremacy of law and constitution and I will pay whatever price it takes but won’t let things continue the way they are at present.”

Referring to the Panama Papers verdict which led to his disqualification from the office of prime minister, Nawaz said, "My imaginary salary was considered an asset, but transactions worth thousands of pounds conducted through Niazi Services, which Imran Khan has confessed to himself, are not being considered as assets".

"The [Supreme Court] bench gave an explanation on Imran’s behalf," added Nawaz. 

Country moving towards instability: Nawaz Sharif

On Thursday, Nawaz said that the country is moving towards instability and the current circumstances in Pakistan are not satisfactory.

Nawaz added that the country, which was progressing well, is now moving towards instability after the July 28 decision.

"I said it during my rally in Quetta too, such decisions become the reason for anarchy in a country," said the former prime minister.

Nawaz said his government has worked hard during the last four years to improve the country and the circumstances of the masses. 

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif arrived at Hasan Nawaz's office in London to meet party leader and former premier Nawaz Sharif.

Nawaz's daughter Maryam, Shehbaz's son Salman, and other members of the family were also present at the meeting.