Verdict in corruption references against Nawaz to be announced shortly.

ISLAMABAD: The accountability court seized with graft references of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is all set to decide the fate of three-time PM in Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment cases shortly. Earlier on Sunday, Nawaz Sharif also arrived in Islamabad ahead of the verdict.

Upon his arrival from Lahore, he had met party president and younger sibling Shehbaz Sharif at his Ministers' Enclave residence to discuss the party matters and post-verdict scenario. Both leaders have formulated the strategy for a power show and also directed the PML-N lawmakers and workers to reach Islamabad to join the power show.

Moreover, the potential imprisonment has also brought PML-N closer to the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Both parties are planning to launch a mass agitation movement against the government in case of conviction.

However, media reports suggest PML-N won't trouble the Imran Khan-led government if Nawaz goes free. In that case, the party supreme leader would address the party's Foundation Day ceremony in Lahore on Dec 30. It will also mark Maryam's return to politics, sources claimed.

SECURITY: The government is also prepared to let situation not go out of hand in case Nawaz is sent to jail. Security around the Judicial Complex has been tightened ahead of the verdict, with Rangers standing guard outside the complex.

PML-N workers will take to streets if Nawaz is found guilty and might create hurdle for the government during his transfer to Adiala Jail. In that case, according to sources, the ousted PM would be taken to jail by a helicopter if situation on the roads became unfeasible.

Besides, the Interior Ministry has evolved a special security plan to maintain law and order situation in the federal capital. It will deploy additional 1,400 policemen and block exit and entry points of the city.

It has also vowed to thwart any protest demonstration by PML-N workers at all costs, saying the law will take its course in full force against those found involved in creating any law and order situation. Along with deployment of eight prisoner vehicles, plainclothes policemen will also be deployed to arrest those found involved in ransacking public and private properties.

CASES: After Nawaz was named in Panama Papers in 2016, the SC had formed...