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LAHORE (Pakistan): Addressing his supporters, former Pakistani premier, Nawaz Sharif, has vowed to restore democracy and end dictatorship in the country.
"Together we will restore democracy and end dictatorship," Sharif told his supporters. "It is time for a decisive battle."
Talking to reporters upon arrival in in Lahore, Sharif said all decisions regarding participation in polls would be made on the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM)'s platform.
Sharif said the APDM would participate in the elections if Gen. Musharraf withdrew the emergency declaration he issued on November 3, and released opposition members who had been jailed. "Everything that was done must be reversed and drawn back completely," he said.
Sharif also added that he had been talking to former premier Benazir Bhutto "trying to find common ground" in the opposition to Gen. Musharraf's government." We have both been interacting over the past few days, so let's see what comes out of it," he said.
Earlier, a special plane carrying the PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shahbaz Sharif and other family members arrived in Lahore from the holy city of Madina on Sunday evening.
The convoys of PML-N workers arrived in Lahore to accord rousing welcome to Sharifs. Large welcome banners and pictures of Sharif brothers have been displayed at several places in Lahore.
The special plane Boeing777 carried Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif along with 26 members of their family from the holy city of Madina.
The central and provincial leaders of PML-N, lawyers and members of civil society have arrived to receive Sharifs at Lahore Airport.
Nawaz Sharif has visited Data Darbar in a procession and addressed a public meeting.
Security had been tightened in Lahore especially on the airport ahead of arrival of the PML-N leader.
Provincial home department has allowed only hundred party leaders to receive Sharifs at the airport, party sources claimed.
According to sources, bullet-proof cars for Sharifs reached in Lahore last night from Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the home department said that the authorities have decided to give free hand to Nawaz Sharif but he has not been permitted for holding a public meeting and rally. Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and other family members will be transported to home from the airport, a home department statement said.
However, thousands of PML-N workers succeeded in arriving airport by crossing the barricades put up by police. On this occasion, the workers raised slogans both in favour of Nawaz Sharif and against the government.
Exiled PM Nawaz Sharif returns home amid mounting tension in Pakistan over a state of emergency imposed by President Pervez Musharraf.
Sharif's first attempt to return to the country on September failed after he was deported to Saudi Arabia minutes after landing in Islamabad.
The 57- year old politician took the flight from Saudi Arabia where he was first deported in 2000, with his brother Shahbaz Sharif, his wife Kulsoom and other family members on a special jet provided by the kingdom's authorities.
The government has tightened security in Islamabad with around 5000 policeman on the streets.
Security is especially high in the airport and the road to the airport where the police are checking all vehicles carefully.
On Saturday, two suicide bombings in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, killed about 30 people.
Sharif will be riding in a special bullet proof car which has been given to him by the Saudi family and was airlifted to Lahore.
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