Pakistan authorities locked down parts of Lahore on Friday ahead of the return from London of former premier Nawaz Sharif, who faces possible arrest and a 10-year prison sentence ahead of already tense elections his party insists are being rigged.
Sharif was sentenced in absentia last week to 10 years in prison by a corruption court over the purchase of high-end properties in London, dealing a serious blow to his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party's bid weeks ahead of a general election on July 25.
He has claimed he is being targeted by the military.
"I know that... I will be directly taken to jail," he said in a video released by his party on Friday.
"I want to tell Pakistanis I have been doing this for you. Walk with me, join hands with me and change the destination of the country."
The video showed Sharif seated on a plane. He left London, where his wife is being treated for cancer, late on Thursday and was expected to arrive in Lahore on Friday evening. He is accompanied by his daughter Mariam, who was sentenced to seven years in prison in the same case.
She shared the video of Sharif's address on her Twitter account, as well as a photo of them during a stopover in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistani authorities said Sharif would be taken to the capital, Islamabad, by helicopter after his arrival.
His brother Shahbaz Sharif, who now heads the PML-N, said on Thursday that hundreds of their workers and supporters had been arrested ahead of Sharif's expected return in what he said was "naked" pre-poll rigging against their party.
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The younger Sharif has pledged to marshal a welcome for the former prime minister, saying thousands of supporters would travel to Lahore airport for his arrival.
"The whole world knows that PML-N is being targeted," he said. "We'll go to the airport tomorrow despite this brutality, and we will remain completely peaceful."
Containers could be seen blocking some Lahore roads on Friday morning, while travel to and from the airport had reportedly been restricted.
Authorities have pinpointed at least 50 locations in the city to block if needed, according to a police official.
Despite the crackdown, PML-N backers continued to flock to the city, vowing to confront authorities if challenged.
"We are going to airport and if anybody stops us then we are ready to go to jail," said Khurram Ehsan, 36.
"We can go beyond our limits for our leader."
Pakistan's election will pit the PML-N against its main rival, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is led by cricket star-turned-politician Imran Khan.
The polls would be only the second-ever democratic transfer of power in the South Asian country.
Sharif was the 15th prime minister to be removed before completing a full term in Pakistan's 70-year history - roughly half of it under military rule.
The military remains the most powerful institution in the country, and has been accused in recent months of pressuring the media and politicians in a bid to manipulate the polls against the PML-N.
The armed forces denied the accusations, and say they have "no direct role" in the elections.
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SPECS
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari