Sharif shifted to prison in Lahore

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on Tuesday.

Sharif, 69, was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Al-azizia Steel Mills graft case but was acquitted in the Flagship Investments reference by Islamabad-based Accountability Court on Monday. He spent the night on Monday in Rawalpindi’s Adilia jail, and was shifted via chartered flight to Lahore after the court accepted his application to be incarcerated in the capital of Punjab province.

Strict security arrangements were in place for the movement, reported local media.

The accountability court also slapped a fine of Rs1.5 billion on him.

After the verdict, Sharif was arrested in the court and taken first to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

Sharif in his application to the court said that he wanted to serve the sentence at Kot Lakhpat jail as his family members and his personal physicians live in Lahore.

A number of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supporters gathered outside the jail to have a glimpse of their leader.

However, due to high security they were not allowed to come close to the prison. Police also baton charged the workers for trying to reach the jail.

According to the jail administration, Sharif is provided with “better class” facilities.