Sharif changes plans, boards direct flight to Islamabad

Former premier Nawaz Sharif commenced his return to Pakistan after a seven-year exile when he boarded a scheduled direct PIA flight to Islamabad.

Former premier Nawaz Sharif commenced his return to Pakistan after a seven-year exile when he boarded a scheduled direct Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight to Islamabad at the Heathrow airport.

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Sharif, his brother Shahbaz and British Labour party's Lord Nazir Ahmed checked in at the PIA counter a couple of hours before the aircraft was due to take off at 8 pm local time (0030 HRS Monday).

Over 60 journalists are also travelling with the deposed premier and the aircraft is expected to land in the Pakistani capital at around 8.15 am (8.45 IST).

Earlier reports suggested that Sharif will take a Gulf Air flight to Muscat and switch over to another aircraft to Islamabad after a brief halt at the Omani capital. Sharif's partymen from PML-N will be taking the Gulf Air aircraft.

Hundreds of his supporters raised pro-Sharif slogans outside the Heathrow airport and police had a tough time to control the situation.