LAHORE: Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif receives a subdued welcome from close relatives when he arrived home in Lahore on September 19, along with his daughter and son-in-law, following their release from jail. Security agencies had banned leaders and workers from his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party and other supporters from gathering at the airport to greet him. citing to security concerns.
Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Safdar Awan flew to Lahore from Islamabad after Islamabad High Court, as part of their appeal, suspended the verdict of an accountability court that in July convicted them in a corruption case and jailed them for 10 years, seven years and one year respectively. They were accompanied on the flight by the former PM’s brother, Shahbaz Sharif, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.
The court ordered the trio to submit bail bonds worth PKR 500,000 ($4,000) each as a pre-bail condition.
News of their release was received with jubilation among PML-N leaders and workers across the country, especially his hometown of Lahore. Supporters started arriving at the party’s Model Town office in Lahore city at noon. where Sharif’s nephew, Hamza Shahbaz, greeted the rejoicing crowd. The workers chanted slogans in support of the deposed premier and the Sharif family. Many handed out sweets across the city in the spirit of celebration.
“It is great day that the court has directed to release our leader who always fought for the country and his countrymen,” said Shahbaz as he addressed party workers. “Mian Nawaz Sharif is a clean man and will face the cases courageously.” He added that it was deplorable that Sharif was prevented from being at the side of his wife, Kulsoom, when she died in London on September 11 after a battle with cancer.
Local party chiefs in a number of cities gave passionate speeches in support of their leader.
Imran Nazir, PML-N’s general secretary for Lahore city, said: “Nawaz Sharif’s release brings fright for his opponents.”
Shaiesta Malik, the president of PML-N’s women’s wing, told workers at the party’s Naseerabad area office: “It is time to fight for what is just, what is right.”
In Gawalmandi area of Lahore, Sharif’s ancestral home, PML-N supporters took to the streets to celebrate his release and congratulate each other, distributing sweets and chanting slogans hailing him, many with banners in their hands.
“Kulsoom left for a heavenly abode waiting for her husband and the court realized now that there is no proof against him, said Bilqees Pervaiz, a staunch supporter of Sharif, with tears in her eyes. “Those who unjustly put Nawaz Sharif through this turmoil will have to be answerable for their actions.”
The police made special security arrangements for the arrival of the Sharifs in Lahore and their journey to the family home in Jati Umra. The flight carrying them landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport, where Sharif and his aides were taken to Hajj Terminal instead of the regular exit gates. They were welcomed there by Hamza Shahbaz and other relatives, then taken to Jati Umra in bullet-proof vehicles.
Several hundred party workers gathered at the Hajj terminal gates but were not allowed to stage a procession or rally. They shouted slogans when the vehicles carrying Sharif and the others appeared, and showered them with flower petals.
While most people were banned from entering the Hajj Terminal for security reasons, PML-N leaders Pervaiz Malik, Shaiesta Malik, Khawaja Iman Nazir, City Mayor Mubashar Javed, Khawaja Salman, Mian Naseer and a few others were allowed in.
The Sharifs were driven to Jati Umra on the Ring Road, rather than interior city roads. A few hundred party workers had gathered at the residence but were prevented from greeting their leader.
Nawaz Sharif and daughter arrive in Lahore after court suspends jail sentence
Nawaz Sharif and daughter arrive in Lahore after court suspends jail sentence
- Islamabad High Court suspended the verdict of an accountability court in a corruption case that had put former PM, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Safdar Awan behind bars
- Security agencies prevented PML-N leaders and supporters from gathering in large numbers to welcome the Sharifs home
Pakistan regulator says over 21,600 new companies registered in first half of FY26
- This reflects a 29 percent increase compared to the 16,839 companies that were registered during same period last year, says regulator
- These incorporations contributed $109.5 billion in paid-up capital, says Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan report
ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) said this week it registered over 21,600 new companies in the first half of the current fiscal year, reflecting rising investor confidence and positive economic outlook in the country.
In a report issued on Jan. 6, the SECP said it registered 21,668 companies in the first six months of the current fiscal year, adding that these incorporations contributed Rs30.7 billion [$109.5 million] in paid-up capital.
The report said this represented a 29 percent increase compared to the 16,839 companies registered during the same period last year.
“Pakistan’s business landscape continues to demonstrate strong momentum, reflecting rising investor confidence and a positive economic outlook,” the SECP report said.
The SECP said the latest increase has brought the total number of registered companies in Pakistan to 279,724. It said the top ten sectors by incorporations were led by the IT & e-commerce, with 4,277 companies, followed by trading (2,997 companies), services (2,686 companies) and real estate (2,031 companies).
“This sectoral diversity highlights expanding entrepreneurial activity, particularly in technology-driven and service-oriented industries,” the report said.
The SECP said foreign investment also remained “robust” during the period, adding that 524 newly incorporated companies received foreign investment amounting to Rs1.26 billion [$4.5 million] with the participation from 731 foreign investors.
“China emerged as the leading source, accounting for 71 percent of total inflows,” the SECP said. “It was followed by Afghanistan (8 percent), the United States (2 percent), and the United Kingdom, Germany, South
Africa, South Korea, Norway, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, each contributing 1 percent,” it added.
The SECP said an additional 11 percent of the investment originated from other countries.
