Nawaz's plane lands at Islamabad airport

Islamabad, Sept 10 (UNI) A Pakistan International Airlines flight carrying former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif landed here this morning, bringing the exiled leader home after seven years.

The PIA flight PK-786 landed here at 0845 hrs PST, private TV channel Geo TV reported.

Mr Sharif had left for Islamabad from London last night. However, his brother Shahbaz Sharif had been directed to stay back at the last minute.

Heavy security arrangements are in place at the airport and nobody is allowed to enter into the premises to avoid any untoward incident, sources said.

Prominent opposition leaders were arrested and rallies banned as police manned roadblocks on all the main roads leading to the capital from last night. A five-kilometre area around the airport was also cordoned off where a security high alert was declared.

No one was allowed to enter the airport premises as heavy contingent of security forces including Rangers and the Elite Force commandos were deputed and armoured vehicles were patrolling the area. A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman, however, said that the airport would not be closed and all domestic and international flights would continue operating according to schedule today.

UNI