ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan announces disqualification of Prime Minister, or rather former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif accompanied by references ordered against his family in accountability court on Friday.
The SC reserved its decision on July 21, after multiple hearings few days prior, alleging Nawaz and family of having provided fake documents and failing to convince the court of their innocense. The decision comes after days of speculation.
The court ruling means that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) must choose an interim prime minister to replace Nawaz, who will serve as a replacement until the general elections in 2018.
Mr. Sharif has held the seat thrice in his political career, failing to complete his tenure in each of his three reigns as Pakistan’s PM, and it remains highly unlikely that he will get another chance to redeem himself and have a fourth go.
Maryam Aurangzeb, however thinks otherwise, as talking to the media subsequent to the decision she said that Sharif is innocent of any wrong doing and will be elected for a record fourth time in future.
“PM Nawaz is not guilty of any corruption, and no corruption allegations have been proven against him. He will return and become the PM of the country for a fourth time,” she said.
Prominent personalities in Pakistan and beyond have also expressed their opinions regarding the issue on social media network Twitter.
Senior journalist Syed Talat Hussain regarded Nawaz as legally, politically and morally wounded in his tweet that said: “Nawaz faces political doom after 5 member bench disqualifies him. Legally, politically, morally deeply wounded.”
Editor Daily Times, Raza Ahmad Rumi declared the result a victory for Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan in a tweet: “A new PM will need to be appointed/sworn in from the ruling party. Today’s decision will have far reaching effects.A big win for Imran Khan.”
Sports journalist, Mazhar Arshad, regarded the SC decision as a history day for the country: “Nawaz Sharif has been disqualified as Pakistan’s Prime Minister. A unanimous 5-0 decision by Supreme Court’s larger bench. Historic day.”
Tweets were also shared from across the border regarding SC’s historic decision.
Indian journalist, Harwinder Baweja, lashed out at Indian authorities for having not given enough importance to the Panama Papers alleging Indian politicians: “Panama Papers thrown by the way side in India. Nawaz Sharif thrown out of office in Pakistan by the same papers.”
Indian producer, Kamaal Khan, lauded Imran Khan for standing up against corruption, adding that there’s a lack of honesty among politicians in India: “ImranKhan is a honest man who went to court to remove PM Nawaz. Unfortunatly no politician is honest in India who can go to court for Panama.”
For a country like Pakistan, soaked in corruption on many levels, the disqualification of the country’s premier is expected to open doors for accountability and lead to more prosperous roads.
Sharif family will have another six months to ponder upon things, before they appear for accountability at trial court, after which they would either be imprisoned or regain little lost dignity.