Pak SC Disqualifies PM Nawaz Sharif In Panama Papers Case:- The Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, over corruption and money laundering, in the Panama Papers case.
The five-member bench, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa pronounced the unanimous verdict and declared Nawaz Sharif “disqualified” for not being honest to the Nation.
Sharif, his sons, and daughter Maryam will be prosecuted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Reports had earlier said that if convicted, Sharif may step down and his Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) may install his brother Shahbaz Sharif as the ‘dummy PM’.
The court has ordered NAB to complete investigation in Panamagate case within six weeks and a judgment should be announced within 30 days.
The petitioners included Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed and Jamaat-e-Islami head Sirajul Haq while the respondents include the prime minister, his family members, and several government officials and departments.
Around 3,000 personnel of Police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary have been deployed at the Supreme Court and the Red Zone to tackle any confrontation.
Meanwhile, the prime minister denied all allegations and claimed that they are politically motivated. There were also questions over the make-up of the SC-sanctioned Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that helped the court in probing the case.
The top court had in April declared there was “insufficient evidence” to oust Sharif over the graft allegations engulfing his family, and ordered an investigation team to probe the matter.
In its report submitted to the court earlier this month, the team of civilian and military investigators found there was a “significant disparity” between the Sharif family’s income and lifestyle.
The verdict is a massive blow to the ruling PML-N, ahead of general elections due to be held by next year. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is likely to become the interim PM for 45 days. Asif is likely to keep the seat warm for Nawaz's brother Shahbaz, who has to win a by-poll to become member of the National Assembly.
SUPRAJA
