Pakistan airports ‘on high alert

 South Asia | Pakistan airports ‘on high alert‘  Annotated

Mr Sharif was exiled from Pakistan after a bloodless coup in 1999 >

Pakistan’s airports have been placed on highest alert, with the threat of a terror attack imminent, officials say.

The government has also banned gatherings of five or more people near Rawalpindi’s international airport.

The moves come days before exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has a residence in Rawalpindi, is expected to return to the country. >

Meanwhile, Lebanese and Saudi officials have urged Mr Sharif to honour a deal not to return to Pakistan until 2010. >

Mr Sharif, leader of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) party, insisted he would return home on Monday despite the Arab leaders’ appeals.