The Supreme Court of Pakistan will speak Thursday on a high-profile case involving Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family assets and political opponents seeking justice in the form of his removal on charges of corruption.
The political temperatures are running high on the eve of the verdict with both defenders of the Sharif and the PTI gearing into a tense moment that could affect future prospects of both parties, and decide the level of confidence the people of Pakistan have in the justice system.
With next year’s general election on their minds, politicians are waiting with bated breath for the verdict.
The highest court had on February 23 declared that, having both the defense and prosecution completed their arguments, it would reserve its verdict on the Panamagate, a scandal which spotlights the Sharif family’s having undeclared assets in the form of an offshore company and ownership of apartments in London.
Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, who leads the bench said in February that this judgment would be remembered even after 20 years. Anyway, it would be historical judgment and set the future course.
PTI Leader Imran Khan, Photo: Jawad Zakariya via Wikimedia Commons
But the political parties including the ruling PML-N, Opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, challenger Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and others would like to have something to show as vindicating their stances.
Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, led by Imran Khan, a major political opponent of the Sharifs want disqualification of the prime minister.
After much controversy, Prime Minister Sharif and his children accepted that the London flats were their property but the ruling PML-N in defense has said that it was a gift, citing a Qatari Prince’s letter.
The case is linked to a number of issues including the controversy whether Prime Minister Sharif’s daughter Maryam Safdar – his possible political successor – owns the Mayfair flats. The case also loops in Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his disqualification on the basis of his affidavit submitted before the magistrate also requires an inquiry. Some legal experts say the apex court could direct the National Accountability Bureau to file an appeal against the high court order in Hudaibiya Papers Mills. The petitions had been filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, and other political parties.
The PTI has sought disqualification of PM Nawaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar from the Parliament.
What happens on Thursday, may well define the future political course of leading parties that hope to come back in the upcoming election.
