Nawaz Sharif's brother Shahbaz likely to be next Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif steps down after five-member Supreme Court Bench disqualifies him from holding any public office for life.

July 28, 2017 03:00 pm | Updated 10:10 pm IST

Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (left) and his brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Province Shahbaz Sharif. File photo: Pakistan Press Information Department/AP

Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (left) and his brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Province Shahbaz Sharif. File photo: Pakistan Press Information Department/AP

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday formally stepped down from his post after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding any public office for life.

In an unanimous decision, a five-member Bench ruled that Mr. Sharif was dishonest to Parliament and courts and could not be deemed fit for his office.

Mr. Sharif has been under pressure to resign since 2016 when leaked documents from a Panama-based law firm disclosed his family’s offshore accounts. In April, the court, acting on petitions from the Opposition set up a six-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the allegations. The investigation concluded a “significant disparity” existed between Mr. Sharif's family’s declared wealth and its known sources of income.

 

Shahbaz may take over from Nawaz

Nawaz Sharif s brother and Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif is likely to be next Prime Minister of Pakistan, sources said.

Mr. Shahbaz will be contesting on a National Assembly seat and then get elected, the sources said adding that there would be an interim Prme Minister for a month or so before Mr. Shahbaz gets elected.

PPP's stand

Pakistan People's Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party raised the Panama Papers issue but was in favour of resolving the issue in Parliament instead of the court.

PML-N to file review plea

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leaders have announced that the party will challenge the Supreme Court verdict and file a review petition soon.

Mr. Sharif's legal advisor Zafarullah said the party had serious reservations about the verdict.

PML leaders said the ball is in the court of people now and this verdict will be remembered as a disputed judgment. They said the judgment has enhanced their confidence on the leadership of Mr. Sharif.

Former Law Minister Zahid Hamid said the ruling did not give any finding on Panama Papers allegations and has only sent the case for investigation to the National Accountability Bureau. 

"Nawaz Sharif didn't receive any salary from the FZE company. The disqualification, hence, is disputed," he said.

Former Railway Minister Saad Rafique termed it a "black day." Justice has been denied to us, he said. They would now approach "people's court." Mr. Sharif was being punished for bringing the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) and conducting a nuclear test. "He [Sharif] will now be more lethal against the forces which are against democracy in Pakistan," he said.

Former Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said it is unfortunate that in 70 years of Pakistani history no Prime Minister was allowed to complete tenure. "Prayer in the petition was about London flats and alleged corruption of Nawaz Sharif. Instead he was disqualified for not declaring 10000 dirhams which he never received.

“Independent trial is denied to the Prime Minister. Nawaz Sharif had reservations about the case from the outset but he still presented himself and his children before the JIT. This judgment will be quoted in the law schools for its uniqueness where prayer was for corruption but the punishment was for not taking 10000 dirhams. This government will go on to complete its tenure till June next year.”

Ten billion dollars are laundered out of Pakistan every year, says Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and main petitioner in the case Imran Khan said the court decision was a "good omen for the country."

"This was not a personal fight between me and the Sharifs. I fought for the supremacy of law and constitution. Today, I am happy and express my gratitude to the Supreme Court and JIT. It proves that powerful can be brought to accountability. This is a win for the people of Pakistan," he told journalists after the verdict.

He claimed that 10 billion dollars are laundered out of Pakistan every year. "Rich politicians own billions of assets abroad."

The court judgment had given hope to the country that ''we are going in the right direction,'' he said adding that "Now all corrupt will be booked who were earlier considered as untouchables."

Mr. Khan also declared Sunday will be celebrated as "Thanksgiving day."

Today will pave the way for Sharif's resounding victory in 2018, says daughter

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Mr. Sharif, came out with a series of tweets in support ofn her father:

"Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest. Insha'Allah. Stay strong PMLN.(sic)," said Ms. Nawaz.

Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif's resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Insha'Allah. Rok sakte ho to rok lo ! (Stop him if you can!), read another tweet.

She called the PML(N) to stand united and stay more resolute and unfazed.

Timeline of events

Here is a timeline of events that started from the Panama Papers expose in April 2016.

 

PPP's pat for Imran Khan

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Zaman Kaira praised cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan for taking the case to the court.

“The judgment came it was expected. It was on the cards for long. All the opposition parties played their part in this, but the credit does go to PTI and Imran Khan for taking this issue to court and fighting this long legal battle.”

'Godfather’s rule has ended'

The Tehreek-e-Insaf said in a tweet, “Godfather’s rule has ended for good! Truth & Justice have prevailed!.”

“Godfather’s ally, the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has been disqualified in Panamagate Case!,” it added.

Party vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, talking to journalists after the judgement, said: “It’s a historic day, let’s strengthen Pakistan, let’s get rid of terrorism from the country.

''Let us take this moment to express gratitude to the armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies. We should also thank the JIT members for not succumbing to the enormous pressure and serving the cause of justice,” he added.

Sharif has reservations about order: spokesman

A spokesman for Mr. Sharif said the latter has stepped down despite having reservations about the court order.

In a brief statement, Mr. Sharif’s office said he relinquished his charge as prime minister after learning that the Supreme Court disqualified him.

The statement claims that justice has not been done with Mr. Sharif, but the prime minister stepped down to show his respect for the judiciary and rule of law.

Protests in Punjab province

Protest erupted in Mr. Sharif's stronghold, Punjab province, against the court verdict. Protesters burnt tyres in Lahore and Gujranwala.

Opposition leaders, hoever, welcomed the court ruling.

Three time PM, who was ejected thrice

Following the Supreme Court’s judgment barring him from holding any public office for life, Mr. Sharif has once again demited office without completing his term.

‘Sharif will remain a political reality despite verdict’

Information Minister for State Maryam Aurangzeb told journalists that Mr. Sharif would remain a political reality despite the court verdict.

"We are examining the judgment and will announce our future course of action later in the day. The Supreme Court judgment has saddened me. The Prime Minister has repeatedly been asking what the charges are against him," she told journalists outside the Supreme Court.

 

Following the judgment, the Pakistan Cabinet stands dissolved.

 

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