LAHORE – Authorities at Central Jail Kot Lakhpat Lahore and Adiala JailRawalpindi are finalising arrangements for the imprisonment of the formerprime minister and his daughter at either of the two prisons.
Nawaz was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8million fine, while Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 millionfine for corrupt practices linked to the family´s purchase of the upscaleLondon flats.
According to jail sources, the two are likely to serve their sentences ateither Kot Lakhpat or Adiala jail, where they could be classified as‘B-class’ prisoners if their living quarter is declared to be a ‘sub-jail’.
According to prison regulations, prisoners can be placed in a ‘sub-jail’ ifthey face a threat to their lives. Such ‘B-class’ prisoners are allowed towear regular clothes rather than the standard prison uniforms. They canalso arrange for their meals to be brought to them from their homes, andcan cook themselves as well.
Under Rule 245 of the prison regulations, two prisoners can be placed atthe service of a former prime minister. ‘B-class’ prisoners can also haveaccess to TV, air-conditioner, and newspapers with the permission of theinterior secretary.
Along with the prison sentences, Maryam was also disqualified fromcontesting the elections. Her husband and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawazlawmaker Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar was handed a year in jail.
Without setting a date, Nawaz said he would return to Pakistan from Londonwhere he is tending to his wife, Kulsoom, who is being treated for cancerand is on life-support after suffering a heart attack last month.
“As soon as she gains consciousness, and I talk to her, I will go back,”Nawaz told media in London after the verdict. “I will continue my struggleeven in the jail.”link>link>
Nawaz and Maryam would face arrest on arrival in Pakistan just before theelection, in which his party is in a tight race with Imran Khan-ledPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
According to National Accountability Bureau sources, the anti-graft bodyhas been issued directives to arrest the father-daughter duo from theairport after they return to the country.