Leaders of opposition parties, welcoming the announcement Nawaz Sharif and his family's return on September 10, said it would prove vital in speeding up the momentum of struggle to restore "real democracy" and ending military rule in the country.
Pakistan Democratic Party chief Mansoor Ahmed Khan, People's Party (PPP) Yousaf Raza Gilani,, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Mujib Ahmed Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Javed Hashmi, and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Hidayatullah Pasroori talking to newsmen on Friday after announcement Nawaz about returning home, said it was a good omen for restoration of "real democracy" in the country. Javed Hashmi said that the Sharifs had proved that they were the genuine popular leaders of the masses.
He said the incumbent government could not stop them from landing in the country as they were out of all options and they left with only one option to quit the government honourably. He said that the Sharifs would be accorded a historic welcome at the Islamabad. He added that he would be monitoring the welcome preparations of Sharifs from Islamabad as acting president of the PML-N and Nawaz Sharif would be escorted to Lahore via GT Road in accordance with the plan announced by him in London.
Hidayatullah Pasroori said MMA would accord a historic welcome on their return at the Islamabad International Airport. He appealed to the nation to reach the airport on September 10 for receiving Nawaz.
PTI President Mujib said his party welcomed the decision of Nawaz, and PTI, as part of APDM, would fully participate in the welcome reception. Yousaf Raza Gilani said his party had always raised the issue of safe return of all exiled leaders to country from the platform of Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), adding that return of Sharif family would be good news for the political circles of the country.
Suhail Javed of Labour Party said PML-N exiled leaders' return to country would prove vital for speeding up the momentum of struggle to restore "real democracy" and ending military rule in the country.