Islamabad: The political future of Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be decided on Friday by the Supreme Court when it will announce its much-awaited verdict in the Panamagate case in which he and his family are accused of corruption. The scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s, when he twice served as prime minister, to purchase assets in London. The assets surfaced when Panama Papers leak last year revealed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif’s children. The assets include four expensive flats in London. Sharif, who has been the prime minister of Pakistan for a record three time, faces the risk of being disqualified if the court finds him guilty of corruption and money laundering. [caption id=“attachment_3865465” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. AFP[/caption] He leads Pakistan’s most powerful political family and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. The verdict will be announced tomorrow at 11.30 am (local time), according to a supplementary cause list issued this evening. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday said that he would resign and quit politics after the Supreme Court judgement on the Panamagate case. His announcement, which comes a day before the verdict in the high-profile case, stunned his supporters and the ruling PML-N party. Khan expressed serious disappointment over the way he was kept away from Sharif by his rivals. The verdict is being awaited as both of Sharif’s first two stints have ended in the third year of his tenure. A steel tycoon-cum-politician, Sharif had served as the Pakistan’s prime minister for the first time from 1990 to 1993. His second term from 1997 was ended in 1999 by Army chief Pervez Musharraf in a bloodless coup. In May, the Supreme Court set up a six-member joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the charges against the 67-year-old Sharif and his family. The JIT submitted its report to the court on 10 July. It said the lifestyle of Sharif and his children were beyond their known sources of income, and recommended filing of a new corruption case against them. Sharif dismissed the report as a “bundle of baseless allegations” and refused to quit, despite demands to do so from several quarters, including opposition political parties. On 21 July, the court reserved its verdict after concluding the hearing. Its decision to issue the verdict on Friday came as a surprise to many as it earlier announced the cause list for two weeks which had not scheduled the Panamagate case. In the wake of the verdict tomorrow, Islamabad police have announced special security arrangements and closed the capital’s central “Red Zone” area, which has importan buildings including the Supreme Court, for the general public. The entry to the court tomorrow will be restricted to only those having special passes. The six-member JIT was set up with a mandate to probe the Sharif family for allegedly failing to provide the trail of money used to buy properties in London in the 1990s. The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on a daily basis.
Panama Papers Verdict highlights: Nawaz Sharif's brother Shehbaz to be next Prime Minister of Pakistan
The political future of Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be decided on Friday by the Supreme Court when it will announce its much-awaited verdict in the Panamagate case in which he and his family are accused of corruption.
 "Panama Papers Verdict highlights: Nawaz Sharif's brother Shehbaz to be next Prime Minister of Pakistan")
The United States looks forward to smooth political transition in Pakistan
“We look forward to a smooth transition as Pakistan’s parliament selects the next prime minister,” a State Department official said when asked about the developments in the Panama Papers case. The official, however, described Sharif’s resignation as Pakistan’s internal matter. Sharif’s resignation comes at a time when Pakistan’s relations with the US is under strain after the Trump administration blocked $350 million coalition support funds the country for failing to act against the dreaded Haqqani terror network.
Read more here
Attempts to create a political crisis are being made, says Maulana Fazl-ur Rehman
“We thought there would be a pile of evidence but when the verdict came, the PM was disqualified over the basis of money he did not withdraw,” said Jamiat Ulema Islam-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur Rehman said in a press conference. According to Geo TV, the leader said that development projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could also be undermined by the political turmoil.
Forget corruption optics, Nawaz Sharif paid price for challenging army’s authority
In one stroke of the pen, Pakistan Supreme Court has sent the country hurtling down the path to political instability. The import of Friday’s event will redefine parliamentary democracy in Pakistan for years to come. Five learned judges in a unanimous decision have removed an elected prime minister from the post even though he has not been convicted of any crime. This is as close to ’legal’ coup d’état as possible.
Full analysis herePML-N says Nawaz Sharif’s ouster was not based on Panama Papers
Geo News reported that PML-N lawmakers expressed reservations over the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif and said that his removal was not on the basis of Panama Papers.
The PML-N leadership also said that it is likely that a review petition will be filed. “This decision is not acceptable and we will file a review petition in court,” said Saad Rafique.
Nawaz Sharif disqualified from National Assembly
Following the directives of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued a notification disqualifying Nawaz Sharif as a member of the National Assembly.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan hereby de-notify Muhammad Nawaz Sharif as Member National Assembly on Pakistan from Constituency No.NA-120 Lahore-III with immediate effect,” reads the ECP notification released by Dawn.
Former Iceland PM Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson too resigned because of the Panama Papers
Iceland’s prime minister was forced to resign in April, 2016 after documents appeared to reveal that he and his wife concealed millions of dollars’ worth of investments in an offshore company.
Edward Snowden tweets about the development in Pakistan
What "draining the swamp" actually looks like: Courts disqualify national leader—exposed as corrupt by journalists—from office for life. https://t.co/nEzTBCwST3
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) July 28, 2017
Who will succeed Shehbaz as Chief Minister of Punjab?
According to Geo News, Hamaz Shehbaz Sharif or Rana Sanaullah are likely to succeed Shehbaz as the Chief Minister of Punjab.
No interim prime minister announced yet
According to Geo News, a name has not been announced for the interim prime minister, who will fill the 45 day vacuum until Shehbaz Sharif is elected to a National Assembly seat.
As Shehbaz is not a member of the National Assembly, he would have to contest elections and there were reports that Khawaja Asif could be made interim prime minister.
In picture: Nawaz Sharif with his brother Shehbaz
Here’s a brief profile of Shehbaz
Chief minister of Pakistan’s most populous province, Shehbaz had held this position earlier from 1997 to 1999. Born on 23 September, 1951, the “astute businessman” began his political career as member of the Punjab Assembly in 1988. He became the Opposition leader of Punjab Assembly in 1993.
Shehbaz is considered to be a powerful administrator and began initiatives for Punjab province with emphasis on health, education and environment.
Nawaz Sharif’s brother Shehbaz Sharif declared next prime minister
Shahbaz Sharif to be new Pakistan PM. Shahbaz is the brother of ousted PM Nawaz Sharif.
— IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) July 28, 2017
Shehbaz Sharif is the new prime minister of Pakistan
According to India Today, Shehbaz Sharif has been declared the new prime minister of Pakistan.
During his tenure, Nawaz Sharif launched a number of development projects
During this tenure, Sharif launched a number of development projects including the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
His another major achievement was the launch of military operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014 to flush out the militants from North Waziristan and South Waziristan — a hub of terrorism.
Here’s a brief history of Nawaz Sharif’s second term
Nawaz Sharif’s second term as prime minister from 1997 ended in 1999 when then powerful Army chief Pervez Musharraf staged a bloodless coup. In a dramatic fall from grace, Sharif ended up in jail, convicted of hijacking charges for trying to stop a plane carrying Musharraf from landing. He then went into exile in Saudi Arabia and did not return to Pakistan until 2007, when he teamed up with the PPP to force Musharraf from office.
Pakistan Army targetted Sharif, tweets Subramanian Swamy
All prominent Politicians of Pak have Panama Papers entries. But Pak Army targeted Sharif because it wants a jehadi PM not a rubber stamp
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) July 28, 2017
Senior Opposition politician Jehangir Tareen celebrates the dismissal
Forget corruption optics, Nawaz Sharif paid the price for challenging army’s authority
If leveling of charges are reason enough to depose the head of an elected government, it signifies further erosion of civilian authority in Pakistan in respect of not just the military establishment but also the judiciary. In fact, enough murmurs are rising about powerful generals, whose formidable presence marked the entire length of the high-profile case, having worked behind the scenes to influence the court decision.
With Sharif’s disqualification, new Pakistan in line: Imran Khan
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan said that with Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification, the foundation of a new Pakistan, in line with the vision of the founders, has been laid.
“I don’t have any personal grudges against anyone, including Nawaz Sharif,” Khan, whose party had sought the disqualification of the prime minister, told reporters in Islamabad hours after the Supreme Court announced its verdict in the Panama Papers case.
IANS
Pakistan Opposition parties hail country’s army
PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, “let us take this moment to express gratitude to the armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies.”
Three incomplete tenures of turmoil defined Nawaz Sharif’s political career
Nawaz Sharif, known as the ‘Lion of Punjab’, became the Prime Minister of the politically unstable Pakistan for a record three times, but every time he was forced to quit in the middle of his term — first by the presidency, then the military and now the judiciary.
Sharif, who leads the country’s most powerful political family and the ruling PML-N party, successfully managed to swim through all the “tsunamis” since he assumed power for the third term in June 2013, but a Supreme Court ruling against him in the Panamagate case struck a heavy blow to his career.
Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification to weaken civilian rule in Pakistan
Sharif's disqualification as PM will weaken civilian rule in Pak: Experts
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) July 28, 2017
Read @ANI_news story | https://t.co/n64ejSjOfG pic.twitter.com/uhzblWV6Im
Another elected prime minister sent home: Maryam
Another elected prime minister has been “sent home”, Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam said on Friday but asserted that her father’s disqualification by the Supreme Court would not deter him from staging a comeback. In her first reaction to the verdict in the Panama Papers scandal, she tweeted, “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)!”
In picture: People celebrate the ouster of Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif learned secret companies won’t stay secret?
#PanamaPapers take down another leader: ???????? #Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif latest to learn secret companies won’t stay secret. #PanamaVerdict pic.twitter.com/et5UK82U3H
— Transparency Int’l (@anticorruption) July 28, 2017
Opposition supporters celebrate Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification
Opposition party politicians were elated as the Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif on Friday, the media reported. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while addressing the press soon after the judgement, said: “It’s a historic day, let’s strengthen Pakistan, let’s get rid of terrorism from the country.”
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said: “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.”
In picture: Nawaz Sharif at the PML-N meeting
Hear Musharraf’s entire statement here:
Congratulate the Supreme Court, it's a historic day for Pakistan: Pervez Musharraf to CNN-News18 on #SharifSacked #PanamaVerdict pic.twitter.com/dg3l9p06D3
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 28, 2017
Nawaz Sharif’s friendly overtures at cost of Pakistan: Musharraf
Nawaz Sharif’s friendly overtures to India and India’s prime minister wasn’t looked at in a good light in Pakistan, Musharraf told News18. He further said that India’s interference is not what the people of Pakistan want.
Today marks the end of Nawaz Sharif’s career: Pervez Musharraf
Former president Pervez Musharraf told CNN-News18 that it is a historic day for Pakistan and he congratulated the Supreme Court for the verdict. He gave the credit to the chief justice of Pakistan, the five-judge bench and also to Imran Khan’s movement.
He further said that today marks the end of Nawaz Sharif’s career. He told News18 that PML-N only got 13 percent of the votes, which means that either 87 percent didn’t vote at all or voted for someone else.
Nawaz Sharif will be unstoppable in 2018: Maryam
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 !
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 28, 2017
Imran Khan lauds the judiciary, says the entire nation is happy
Finally law has caught up with the powerful, I salute the judiciary, they are our heroes: Imran Khan #NawazSharif #PanamaVerdict
— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2017
Poora mulk aaj khushi mana raha hai, kyunki hume lagta hai hum abhi aur mulkon ki tarah ab aage badh sakte hain: Imran Khan #NawazSharif
— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2017
Can the military take over?
According to AFP, the military has been in charge of Pakistan for half of its 70-year history, but few expect the army to make an explicit bid for power again. The military already exerts control over foreign policy and defence, leading to accusations from some that it is carrying out a “creeping coup”.
What happens now that Sharif has resigned?
Sharif will remain the head of PML-N and according to AFP, he will oversee the nomination of his successor who will then be rubber stamped in a parliamentary vote, where his party and coalition partners command a 209-seat majority in the 342-seat house
Who might succeed Nawaz Sharif?
Here then is a list of some of the names in the hat to replace Sharif and take over as interim prime minister:
Khawaja Asif: PTI had earlier stated that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif will most likely become the interim prime minister for 45 days till Shehbaz Sharif (Nawaz’s brother and Punjab province chief minister) is elected in by-polls
Shehbaz Sharif: As Shehbaz is not a member of the National Assembly, he would have to contest elections if he was chosen as Nawaz’s successor.
Read the full list _here_
Maryam Sharif tweets, PML-N stands united, more resolute and unfazed
PMLN stands united, more resolute & unfazed. That's also unprecedented. Alhamdolillah! pic.twitter.com/qwagGuDwzJ
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 28, 2017
French MPs call for social media ban for under-15s, digital curfew for teenagers
A French committee suggests banning social media for kids under 15 and a nighttime digital curfew for teens 15-18. The report cites concerns about TikTok's effects on minors. President Macron backs the ban, akin to Australia's proposed law.
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