Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz arrested on return to Pakistan

Pakistan's formerPrime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter and political heir Maryam were arrested at the Lahore airport last night on corruption charges as they returned to the country ahead of the July 25 general elections.

Pakistan Muslim League(N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Maryam landed at Lahore airport from Abu Dhabi.Earlier they flew to the UAE capital from London, where Sharif's wife Kulsoom,suffering from throat cancer, is battling for her life. The spokesperson forthe PML (N), Marriyum Aurangzeb said that they have been arrested and taken to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. 

In a landmark verdict,the Sharifs were convicted in absentia by an anti-corruption court on July 6 for not



being able to prove a legitimate source for funds used to buy four luxury flats in London.

Maryam Nawaz'shusband, Muhammad Safdar, was also sentenced in the case and also held in Adiala jail.

Though the Sharifs cannot run in the July 25 election, analysts said they felt compelled to returnto give a lift to their party.

Meanwhile, at least 50 people were injured during clashes between PML (N) workers and police in Pakistan's Punjab province during rallies held in connection with the arrival of Sharif and his daughter. The police arrested at least 600 workers of the party on security-related charges in the past several days.