Nawaz, Maryam land in Abu Dhabi en route to Pakistan

LONDON - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz on Friday reached Abu Dhabi on their way back Pakistan to face the jail sentence awarded by an accountability court in the Avenfield reference.

The father-daughter duo is expected to land at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore at 6:15 pm today on a foreign airline, Etihad Airways, via Abu Dhabi.

#حاضر_وطن_کی_خاطر pic.twitter.com/uH1SrAzzJn

— Faisal Ranjha (@ranjha001) July 12, 2018

Maryam shared a video message from former premier addressing the Pakistanis in midflight. Nawaz said, "I have done what I can and now it is yours [public] turn".

نواز شریف نے اپنا فرض نبھا دیا۔ اب آپ کی باری ہے ! pic.twitter.com/TqG2evM0wn

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 13, 2018

Maryam Nawaz also shared some emotional pictures, which were taken before their departure at the London hospital where Begum Kulsoom Nawaz is under treatment, on Twitter.

In one picture, Nawaz and Maryam can be seen bidding a full of tear farewell to ailing Kulsoom Nawaz. Hussain Nawaz, Maryam's son Junaid Safdar and other family members are also seen saying goodbye to the convicted persons.

LION HEART !!! pic.twitter.com/KFLb2B9VAo

— Suleman Sharif (@SulemanSharif82) July 12, 2018

بہادر باپ کی بہادر بیٹی اس قوم کے مستقبل ک جنگ لڑنے آرہی ہے #حاضر_وطن_کی_خاطر pic.twitter.com/LN6hnbPh2d

— Zeeshan Malik (@ZeshanMalick) July 12, 2018

Prior to his departure, the three-time premier had said his wife finally opened her eyes for a few seconds. Hussain Nawaz also confirmed the development and requested prayers.

Begum Kulsoom had been unconscious and in critical condition after she suffered a cardiac arrest last month. She is being treated at the Harley Street Clinic in London.

Nawaz and Maryam will be arrested on their arrival at Lahore airport as all arrangements in this regard have been completed. They will be directly taken to Islamabad by helicopter in order to shift them to Adiala jail.

They are returning to Pakistan a week after the accountability court handed a 10 years sentence and £8 million (Rs1.29 billion) to Pakistan's former prime minister.

In the 100-page decision, Accountability Judge Mohammad Bashir also sentenced Sharif’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz, to seven years in jail for forgery and making assets through illegal sources in the landmark decision. She has been ordered to pay a fine of £2 million (Rs320 million).

Avenfield reference verdict: Nawaz Sharif, Maryam ... 09:50 AM | 6 Jul, 2018

ISLAMABAD - An accountability court handed a 10 year sentence and £8 million (Rs1.29 billion) to Pakistan's former ...