Friday, Mar 29 2024 | Time 06:26 Hrs(IST)
image
World


Pakistan's Supreme Court orders PM Sharif removed in corruption probe

Pakistan's Supreme Court orders PM Sharif removed in corruption probe

By Asif Shahzad

ISLAMABAD, Jul 28 (Reuters) Pakistan's top court today disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office after a damning corruption probe into his family wealth, cutting short his third stint in power and ordering a criminal investigation of his family. In a surprise move, the court also dismissed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, one of Sharif's closest allies who has been credited with steering the economy to its fastest pace of growth in a decade. But Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, which has a majority in parliament, is expected to name a new prime minister to hold office until elections due next year. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Sharif was not fit to hold office after an investigative panel alleged his family could not account for its vast wealth. "He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister," Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said in court. Prior to the decision, several cabinet ministers, including Sharif's closest allies, said the ruling party would respect the Supreme Court's verdict. "Go, Nawaz, Go," shouted supporters of the PTI opposition party who had gathered outside the court, and who jeered politicians from Sharif's party. Sharif's supporters echoed the prime minister's previous declarations of a conspiracy against him. "Those who are happy and dancing will cry tomorrow," said Abid Sher Ali, a junior minister. "They have stabbed democracy in the back." Analysts have warned that another bout of political turmoil would spook foreign investors, who are already reticent to invest in Pakistan, deterred by security fears and a tough business climate. Sharif, 67, has always denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed the investigation into him as biased and inaccurate. "This is not accountability, it is revenge," tweeted Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq hours before the verdict. "In an effort dislodge us, the democratic system has been made a target." Sharif's two previous stints in power were also cut short, including by a military coup in 1999, but he returned from exile to win a resounding victory in general elections in 2013. "Today the people of Pakistan got real justice, a new chapter has begun," Jehangir Khan Tareen, a member of the opposition PTI, said outside the court. REUTERS SDR 1448/1518

More News

France's Le Pen accuses gov't of 'pickpocketing' French in attempt to cut budget deficit

28 Mar 2024 | 4:19 PM

Paris, Mar 28 (UNI) Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French right-wing National Rally Party's parliamentary faction, has said that the government's reform of social security for the unemployed is an attempt to "pickpocket" the French to reduce the national budget deficit caused by the authorities' failures.

see more..

Turkish Prez's admin denies claims economic outlook grim for next 1 5 yrs

28 Mar 2024 | 4:19 PM

Ankara, Mar 28 (UNI) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration has denied social media claims that a long, tough period lies before the country's economy for a year and a half, accusing those who disseminate this disinformation and stoking panic ahead of the municipal elections slated for Sunday.

see more..

US agencies didn't share all data about threat of terror attack with Russia: NYT

28 Mar 2024 | 4:12 PM

Washington, Mar 28 (UNI) US intelligence agencies did not provide the Russian side with all the information they had about the threat of a terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow Region, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing European and US security officials.

see more..

Russia working with China, Turkey, UAE on payments constructively

28 Mar 2024 | 4:07 PM

Moscow, Mar 28 (UNI) Russia is working with China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates on the issue of payments very constructively and takes into account the possibility of pressure from the United States and the European Union, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

see more..

Over 12,500 criminal suspects apprehended in Afghan

28 Mar 2024 | 3:29 PM

Kabul, Mar 28 (UNI) The Afghan police have arrested 12,540 suspects criminal over the past six months across the country, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Thursday.

see more..
image