LONDON: Former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has said, in an interviewwith a local media outlet, link> thathe is being “threatened” not to return to Pakistan and claimed that he hasbeen told that his appeal will be “handled”.

“Those trying to intimidate me and threaten me do not know that a person offaith fears only his Allah. I am not afraid of anyone,” Nawaz said in theinterview.

However, he added that he will stay true to his word and return to Pakistanon Friday no matter what the circumstances and consequences are. He wasquoted in the interview saying, “The party’s slogan ‘Vote Ko Izzat Do’(respect the vote) has gained recognition and has reached every Pakistanihousehold.”

“On July 25, ‘the jeeps and puppets’ would face a humiliating defeat at thepolls,” he added.

The former premier is hopeful that his party will accord a historicvictory, this time on a “scale of which the opponents cannot even imagine”.He also said that “those trying to rig the elections will face direconsequences”.

He also commented on Kulsoom Nawaz’s illness and said that she is stillunconscious and on the ventilator. Moreover, he added that following thesentence, he cannot stay and look after his wife as he has to “fulfil hisduty to the nation” and make “any sacrifice” he needed to.

Nawaz Sharif, along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz will land in Lahore onFriday and address the supporters at the Lahore airport and then will maketheir way to the NAB office at Thokar Niaz Baig.