Sharif refuses to hand over passport

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who arrived home on Monday after seven years in exile, refused to hand over his passport to immigration authorities and was not allowed to disembark from the PIA plane which was surrounded by commandos.

As soon as the aircraft landed, a senior army officer along with a group of officials was seen entering the plane for discussing various 'options' with the PML-N leader.

All other passengers were allowed to come out of the plane.

Immigration authorities asked Sharif to hand them over his passport but he refused to do so, journalists traveling with Sharif from London, said.

Cabinet Ministers say that Sharif will be given an option of being deported or being jailed.

Journalists on board the plane said Sharif prefers remaining in Pakistan instead of being deported.

There was undeclared curfew at the Islamabad airport and outside areas with security forces closing all roads to the airport and arresting top opposition leaders and hundreds of activists to foil plan to accord warm welcome to Sharif.

The Pakistan International Airlines plane PK-786, carrying the exiled leader landed at Islamabad International Airport at 9:15 am.