Ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Islamabad on Thursday morning, ahead of a crucial hearing in a graft case.

Sharif will appear before an accountability court on November 3 in connection with the corruption references filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The NAB had earlier&nbsp;approached the Airport Security Force (ASF) seeking access to former premier&#39;s flight to execute his bailable arrest warrants.

The accountability court had recently started the trial of Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in corruption references filed by NAB.

On Tuesday, the&nbsp;court ordered Pakistan&#39;s financial regulatory agency to freeze the company shares of Sharif and his two sons in the Panama Papers case.

Sharif, who was charge-sheeted by the court last week in all three NAB references, did not turn up at the court since he is in Saudi Arabia; however, his lawyer Khawaja Haris attended the hearing.

Sharif will appear before an accountability court on November 3 in connection with the corruption references filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Islamabad on Thursday morning, ahead of a crucial hearing in a graft case. Sharif will appear before an accountability court on November 3 in connection with the corruption references filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The NAB had earlier approached the Airport Security Force (ASF) seeking access to former premier's flight to execute his bailable arrest warrants. The accountability court had recently started the trial of Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in corruption references filed by NAB. On Tuesday, the court ordered Pakistan's financial regulatory agency to freeze the company shares of Sharif and his two sons in the Panama Papers case. Sharif, who was charge-sheeted by the court last week in all three NAB references, did not turn up at the court since he is in Saudi Arabia; however, his lawyer Khawaja Haris attended the hearing.

Nawaz Sharif arrives in Islamabad, crucial hearing in corruption case tomorrow

Nawaz Sharif arrives in Islamabad for crucial hearing in corruption case

Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by Pakistan&#39;s Supreme Court <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-arrives-is-islamabad-crucial-hearing-in-corruption-case-tomorrow-23343">in haste, the ousted prime minister&#39;s daughter and PML-N party leader </a>Maryam Nawaz has said while maintaining that the ruling amounted to murder of justice.

Sharif has been indicted by an anti-graft court in three cases of corruption related to his investments abroad and in other offshore companies. The cases were registered after the Supreme Court disqualified the 67-year-old as prime minister on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal.

Maryam&nbsp;said to be groomed by Sharif as his political heir, told Geo News that her father, who was re-elected recently as the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, has been disqualified but not discredited, despite many attempts by their enemies.

But 44-year-old said that she does not understand the dynamics of getting justice in the country.

&quot;If you criticise, then you won&#39;t get justice, but if you don&#39;t criticise then you will get justice? What is the standard of justice,&quot; she asked. &quot;Our point of view is that there lies anger on the other side and the verdict was announced in haste.&quot;

Sharif, who returned to Pakistan from London today, is set to appear before an anti-graft court tomorrow in the corruption cases spiralling from the Panama Papers scandal.

Maryam and her husband Captain&nbsp;Mohammad Safdar have also been summoned by the Accountability Court. The Sharif family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.

Maryam claimed that the Panama case was &#39;not about corruption, money laundering or misuse of power.&#39;

Sharif, three-time prime minister, was disqualified by the Supreme Court over hiding asset details in his nomination papers for the 2013 general elections.

Just because the names appeared on the Panama Papers case it did not mean that those people were &#39;necessarily involved in corruption or any wrongdoing,&#39;&nbsp;she said.

Maryam said the case was being used to humiliate the Sharif family. &quot;We were asked private questions such as &#39;why does daughter live with her father? Why did a father give gifts to his daughter? Why did a son give money to his father?&quot;

We were also openly labelled to be &#39;don&#39;, &#39;Sicilian mafia&#39;&nbsp;and &#39;Godfather&#39;. Everyone saw the murder of justice in the court, she added.

On the options available to her father in the current political scenario, she said: &#39;Mian sahab has all the options.&#39;

When asked if Sharif has no fear of being jailed, she said: &quot;We have been there and done that,&quot; recalling that her family members have been imprisoned as well as exiled in the past.

&quot;There is no allegation of any corruption or kickback against him,&quot; she said.

&quot;We are asked time and again where the money has come from? How did Hussain and&nbsp;Hassan become billionaires at such a young age,&quot; she said.

&quot;People don&#39;t realise that Hassan and Hussain are grandsons of a billionaire, who was one of one of richest people in Pakistan at one point,&quot; Maryam added.

Sharif has been indicted by an anti-graft court in three cases of corruption related to his investments abroad and in other offshore companies.

Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by Pakistan's Supreme Court in haste, the ousted prime minister's daughter and PML-N party leader Maryam Nawaz has said while maintaining that the ruling amounted to murder of justice. Sharif has been indicted by an anti-graft court in three cases of corruption related to his investments abroad and in other offshore companies. The cases were registered after the Supreme Court disqualified the 67-year-old as prime minister on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal. Maryam said to be groomed by Sharif as his political heir, told Geo News that her father, who was re-elected recently as the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, has been disqualified but not discredited, despite many attempts by their enemies. But 44-year-old said that she does not understand the dynamics of getting justice in the country. "If you criticise, then you won't get justice, but if you don't criticise then you will get justice? What is the standard of justice," she asked. "Our point of view is that there lies anger on the other side and the verdict was announced in haste." Sharif, who returned to Pakistan from London today, is set to appear before an anti-graft court tomorrow in the corruption cases spiralling from the Panama Papers scandal. Maryam and her husband Captain Mohammad Safdar have also been summoned by the Accountability Court. The Sharif family alleges that the cases are politically motivated. Maryam claimed that the Panama case was 'not about corruption, money laundering or misuse of power.' Sharif, three-time prime minister, was disqualified by the Supreme Court over hiding asset details in his nomination papers for the 2013 general elections. Just because the names appeared on the Panama Papers case it did not mean that those people were 'necessarily involved in corruption or any wrongdoing,' she said. Maryam said the case was being used to humiliate the Sharif family. "We were asked private questions such as 'why does daughter live with her father? Why did a father give gifts to his daughter? Why did a son give money to his father?" We were also openly labelled to be 'don', 'Sicilian mafia' and 'Godfather'. Everyone saw the murder of justice in the court, she added. On the options available to her father in the current political scenario, she said: 'Mian sahab has all the options.' When asked if Sharif has no fear of being jailed, she said: "We have been there and done that," recalling that her family members have been imprisoned as well as exiled in the past. "There is no allegation of any corruption or kickback against him," she said. "We are asked time and again where the money has come from? How did Hussain and Hassan become billionaires at such a young age," she said. "People don't realise that Hassan and Hussain are grandsons of a billionaire, who was one of one of richest people in Pakistan at one point," Maryam added.

Nawaz Sharif's disqualification murder of justice: Maryam

Pakistan&#39;s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approached the Airport Security Force (ASF) seeking access to former premier Nawaz Sharif&#39;s flight to execute his bailable arrest warrants.

According to the letter written to the chief of Airport Security Force, the accountability bureau sought access to Nawaz Sharif&#39;s flight when the former prime minister returns to the country at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad.

Sharif left for Islamabad from London&rsquo;s Heathrow Airport on Wednesday night on PIA flight PK 786. He is to appear before the accountability court on Friday, November 3, in connection with a reference filed against him by NAB in line with the Supreme Court directive in the Panamagate case.

In the letter, NAB has stated that it wished to comply with the orders of the court to bring Nawaz Sharif to the accountability court.

The accountability court had on Thursday started the trial of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was charge-sheeted by the court last week in all three NAB references, did not turn up at the court since he is in Saudi Arabia; however, his lawyer Khawaja Haris attended the hearing.

As the hearing begun, Nawaz Sharif&rsquo;s lawyer Khawaja Haris filed an application of his client seeking exemption from personal appearance in the court for seven days.

The court first reserved its decision on the plea and later announced to dismiss Sharif&rsquo;s plea. The court issued bailable arrest warrants for him before adjourning the hearing till Nov 3.

In the letter NAB has stated that it wished to comply with the orders of the court to bring Nawaz Sharif to the accountability court.

Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approached the Airport Security Force (ASF) seeking access to former premier Nawaz Sharif's flight to execute his bailable arrest warrants. According to the letter written to the chief of Airport Security Force, the accountability bureau sought access to Nawaz Sharif's flight when the former prime minister returns to the country at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad. Sharif left for Islamabad from London’s Heathrow Airport on Wednesday night on PIA flight PK 786. He is to appear before the accountability court on Friday, November 3, in connection with a reference filed against him by NAB in line with the Supreme Court directive in the Panamagate case. In the letter, NAB has stated that it wished to comply with the orders of the court to bring Nawaz Sharif to the accountability court. The accountability court had on Thursday started the trial of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was charge-sheeted by the court last week in all three NAB references, did not turn up at the court since he is in Saudi Arabia; however, his lawyer Khawaja Haris attended the hearing. As the hearing begun, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Haris filed an application of his client seeking exemption from personal appearance in the court for seven days. The court first reserved its decision on the plea and later announced to dismiss Sharif’s plea. The court issued bailable arrest warrants for him before adjourning the hearing till Nov 3.

NAB seeks access to Nawaz Sharif's flight to execute bailable arrest warrants

A Pakistan&nbsp;court today&nbsp;issued<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-court-indicts-nawaz-sharif-family-in-london-flats-case-22624"> bailable arrest warrants for ousted prime minister </a>Nawaz Sharif in two cases of corruption.

&quot;The accountability court issued bailable warrants for the former prime minister in two cases of alleged corruption today and adjourned the&nbsp;hearing until November 3,&quot; Sharif&#39;s defence lawyer&nbsp;Zafir Khan said.

The court asked Sharif to appear before it on November 3.

Sharif had resigned in July after the Pakistan Supreme Court had disqualified him from holding office over an undeclared source of income emanating from the Panama Papers leak.

Sharif is currently in London with his wife Kalsum who is undergoing cancer treatment.

The Pakistan court had indicted Nawaz Sharif in the offshore investments case and the London flats case.

The court charged Sharif in absentia for holding assets beyond his known sources in the Flagship Investments and offshore investments case.

Sharif through his lawyer had pleaded not guilty in the case.

In another grafts case, the Pakistan court had found the former PM along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Muhammad Safdar guilty in the London flats case.

The case relates to properties owned by the Sharif family in London&#39;s upscale Park Lane neighbourhood.

Sharif had resigned in July after the Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified him from holding office

A Pakistan court today issued bailable arrest warrants for ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif in two cases of corruption. "The accountability court issued bailable warrants for the former prime minister in two cases of alleged corruption today and adjourned the hearing until November 3," Sharif's defence lawyer Zafir Khan said. The court asked Sharif to appear before it on November 3. Sharif had resigned in July after the Pakistan Supreme Court had disqualified him from holding office over an undeclared source of income emanating from the Panama Papers leak. Sharif is currently in London with his wife Kalsum who is undergoing cancer treatment. The Pakistan court had indicted Nawaz Sharif in the offshore investments case and the London flats case. The court charged Sharif in absentia for holding assets beyond his known sources in the Flagship Investments and offshore investments case. Sharif through his lawyer had pleaded not guilty in the case. In another grafts case, the Pakistan court had found the former PM along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Muhammad Safdar guilty in the London flats case. The case relates to properties owned by the Sharif family in London's upscale Park Lane neighbourhood.

Pak court issues arrest warrant against Nawaz Sharif

A day after the anti-graft court indited <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-court-indicts-nawaz-sharif-family-in-london-flats-case-22624">Nawaz Sharif in the London flats case</a>, the ousted former Pak prime minister was found guilty in another case related to off shore investments.

The anti-graft court<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-senate-adopts-resolution-against-ousted-pm-nawaz-sharif-21316"> indicted Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship Investments</a> and other offshore investments.

The court charged Sharif in absentia for holding assets beyond his known sources of income. &nbsp;

Sharif through his lawyer pleaded not guilty.&nbsp;

According to the chargesheet, Sharif told the joint investigation team that he was a shareholder in 15 companies, Dawn reported.

These include Flagship Invest&shy;ments, Hartstone Properties, Que Holdings, Quint Eaton Place 2, Quint Saloane, Quaint, Flagship Securities, Quint Gloucester Place, Quint Paddington, Flagship Developments, Alanna Services (BVI), Lankin SA (BVI), Chadron, Ansbacher, Coomber and Capital FZE, Dubai.

Now, Sharif has been indicted in all the three cases instituted against him.

The anti-graft court indicted Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship Investments and other offshore investments.

A day after the anti-graft court indited Nawaz Sharif in the London flats case, the ousted former Pak prime minister was found guilty in another case related to off shore investments. The anti-graft court indicted Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship Investments and other offshore investments. The court charged Sharif in absentia for holding assets beyond his known sources of income. Sharif through his lawyer pleaded not guilty. According to the chargesheet, Sharif told the joint investigation team that he was a shareholder in 15 companies, Dawn reported. These include Flagship Investments, Hartstone Properties, Que Holdings, Quint Eaton Place 2, Quint Saloane, Quaint, Flagship Securities, Quint Gloucester Place, Quint Paddington, Flagship Developments, Alanna Services (BVI), Lankin SA (BVI), Chadron, Ansbacher, Coomber and Capital FZE, Dubai. Now, Sharif has been indicted in all the three cases instituted against him.

Now, Pak court indicts Nawaz Sharif in offshore investments case

An anti-graft court in Pakistan on Friday postponed the indictment of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar in Panama Papers case till October 19 due to protests by lawyers.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had registered three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his family members and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Islamabad Accountability Court after the Supreme Court disqualified Sharif, 67, as prime minister on July 28.

As the court was about to begin the proceedings, lawyers started protesting in the court room of Judge Muhammad Bashir against security arrangements which had &quot;restricted their movement in the court premises&quot;.

Judge Bashir left the court room and later announced the postponement of the hearing till October 19.

Sharif skipped the hearing as he has not returned from London where he is busy looking after his wife Kulsoom.

A senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) said that Sharif had nominated a representative to appear before the court to face the indictment and deny the charges.

Maryam, while interacting with reporters, expressed concern over the unnecessary hurdles created for lawyers and asked the interior ministry to probe the incident.

&quot;I don&#39;t know who created the problems for the lawyers. It should have been voided,&quot; she said.

TV footages showed that Maryam and Safdar were present inside the court when lawyers created ruckus. They had also attended the previous hearing.

The court during the hearing on October 9 decided to separate the trial of Sharif&#39;s sons Hussain and Hassan from Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law.

It had also ordered to start the process of declaring Sharif&#39;s sons proclaimed offender for failing to appear before the court.

Sharif&#39;s wife Kulsoom, who is suffering from throat cancer, has undergone three surgeries in the UK so far.

The anti-graft body NAB had frozen the bank accounts and seized properties of Sharif and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court.

Sharif had failed to appear on Monday before the court as he was in London with Kulsoom.

The court had set October 13 as the date of his indictment.

Sharif&#39;s family has alleged that the cases are politically motivated. He may be jailed after the indictment.

He had to step down as prime minister and president of the PML-N party after being disqualified by the Supreme Court.

Sharif was re-elected as the president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on October 3 and immediately demanded that those who disqualified him should respect the people&#39;s mandate and democracy.

&nbsp;

An anti-graft court in Pakistan on Friday postponed the indictment of ousted PM Nawaz Sharif and his family in Panama Papers case till October 19 due to protests by lawyers.

An anti-graft court in Pakistan on Friday postponed the indictment of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar in Panama Papers case till October 19 due to protests by lawyers. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had registered three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his family members and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Islamabad Accountability Court after the Supreme Court disqualified Sharif, 67, as prime minister on July 28. As the court was about to begin the proceedings, lawyers started protesting in the court room of Judge Muhammad Bashir against security arrangements which had "restricted their movement in the court premises". Judge Bashir left the court room and later announced the postponement of the hearing till October 19. Sharif skipped the hearing as he has not returned from London where he is busy looking after his wife Kulsoom. A senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) said that Sharif had nominated a representative to appear before the court to face the indictment and deny the charges. Maryam, while interacting with reporters, expressed concern over the unnecessary hurdles created for lawyers and asked the interior ministry to probe the incident. "I don't know who created the problems for the lawyers. It should have been voided," she said. TV footages showed that Maryam and Safdar were present inside the court when lawyers created ruckus. They had also attended the previous hearing. The court during the hearing on October 9 decided to separate the trial of Sharif's sons Hussain and Hassan from Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law. It had also ordered to start the process of declaring Sharif's sons proclaimed offender for failing to appear before the court. Sharif's wife Kulsoom, who is suffering from throat cancer, has undergone three surgeries in the UK so far. The anti-graft body NAB had frozen the bank accounts and seized properties of Sharif and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court. Sharif had failed to appear on Monday before the court as he was in London with Kulsoom. The court had set October 13 as the date of his indictment. Sharif's family has alleged that the cases are politically motivated. He may be jailed after the indictment. He had to step down as prime minister and president of the PML-N party after being disqualified by the Supreme Court. Sharif was re-elected as the president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on October 3 and immediately demanded that those who disqualified him should respect the people's mandate and democracy.

Pakistan court defers indictment of Nawaz Sharif in Panama Papers case

Pakistan&#39;s ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif will not appear before an anti-corruption court here today to face indictment in the Panama Papers case as he is in London with his ailing wife, a senior leader has said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-supreme-court-rejects-nawaz-sharifs-plea-seeking-review-of-panamagate-verdict-20240" target="_blank">The Supreme Court had disqualified Sharif,</a> 67, as prime minister on July 28.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) registered three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his family members and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Islamabad Accountability Court following the verdict.

A senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) said that Sharif will skip the hearing today as he has not returned from London where he is busy looking after his wife Kulsoom.

&quot;He (Sharif) has nominated a representative to appear before the court to face the indictment and deny the charges,&quot; he said.

TV footages showed Sharif&#39;s daughter Maryam and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sharifs-son-in-law-arrested-on-return-to-pakistan-21153" target="_blank">son-in-law captain (retired) Muhammad Safdar </a>arriving at the court premises to attend the hearing.

They were also present during the previous hearing.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharifs-wife-rushed-to-hospital-in-emergency-tweets-his-daughter-maryam-20751" target="_blank">Kulsoom, who is suffering from throat cancer</a>, has undergone three surgeries in the UK so far.

The anti-graft body NAB had frozen the bank accounts and seized properties of Sharif and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court.

Sharif had failed to appear on Monday before the court as he was in London with Kulsoom.

The court had set <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharifs-indictment-deferred-to-october-9-20901" target="_blank">October 13 as the date of his indictment</a>.

Sharif&#39;s family has alleged that the cases are politically motivated. He may be jailed after the indictment.

Sharif was re-elected as the president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on October 3 and immediately demanded that those who disqualified him should respect the people&#39;s mandate and democracy.

Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will not appear before an anti-corruption court today as he is in London with his ailing wife

Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif will not appear before an anti-corruption court here today to face indictment in the Panama Papers case as he is in London with his ailing wife, a senior leader has said. The Supreme Court had disqualified Sharif, 67, as prime minister on July 28. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) registered three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his family members and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Islamabad Accountability Court following the verdict. A senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) said that Sharif will skip the hearing today as he has not returned from London where he is busy looking after his wife Kulsoom. "He (Sharif) has nominated a representative to appear before the court to face the indictment and deny the charges," he said. TV footages showed Sharif's daughter Maryam and son-in-law captain (retired) Muhammad Safdar arriving at the court premises to attend the hearing. They were also present during the previous hearing. Kulsoom, who is suffering from throat cancer, has undergone three surgeries in the UK so far. The anti-graft body NAB had frozen the bank accounts and seized properties of Sharif and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court. Sharif had failed to appear on Monday before the court as he was in London with Kulsoom. The court had set October 13 as the date of his indictment. Sharif's family has alleged that the cases are politically motivated. He may be jailed after the indictment. Sharif was re-elected as the president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on October 3 and immediately demanded that those who disqualified him should respect the people's mandate and democracy.

Nawaz Sharif to skip court proceedings in Panama Papers case today

Pakistan&#39;s anti-corruption authorities on Monday arrested the son-in-law of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif from an airport in Pakistan in connection with corruption cases pending against him.

A team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) took former army captain Muhammad Safdar into custody minutes after his arrival from London at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport. He was travelling with his wife&nbsp;Maryam Nawaz.&nbsp;

Safdar has been named by NAB in one of three corruption cases filed on&nbsp;September 8&nbsp;against Pakistan&#39;s former prime minister Sharif, his daughter Maraym, sons Husain and Hasan and his son-in-law Safdar.

The couple had arrived to appear before an anti-graft tribunal in connection with the NAB reference pertaining to London properties owned by the Sharif family.

Safdar was later presented before a court in Islamabad, NAB officials said.

Maryam, who was not detained, separately appeared in the same court for the first time.

However, Sharif and his two sons were absent as they are in London where 67-year-old Sharif&#39;s wife is battling throat cancer.

Sharif attended the previous two hearings but went to London last week to see his ailing wife.

The court held a brief hearing and took a break before announcing the hearing will resume shortly. During the hearing, Maryam was given copies of the case documents.

Sharif&#39;s lawyer also presented an application to exempt him from appearance today as he was with his wife in London.

The trial judge had earlier issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of Safdar and Sharif&#39;s two sons for failing to appear in court at the last hearing held on October 2.

The court, however, repeated the bailable warrants for Sharif&#39;s daughter.

&quot;We are going back and will appear before the court and go through the wheels of justice. We respect the rule of law and the Constitution,&quot; local media quoted Maryam as saying.

Asked whether her brothers would return to Pakistan to face the NAB references against them, she said, &quot;Hassan and Hussain would themselves tell you about their decision.&quot;

Safdar told Geo News that the couple had decided to return to Pakistan on the advice of their lawyers.

Sharif had to step down as prime minister and president of the ruling PML-N party after he was disqualified by the Supreme Court on&nbsp;July 28&nbsp;in the Panama Papers scandal.

Sharif was re-elected as the president of the ruling PML-N on October 3 and immediately demanded that those who disqualified him should respect the people&#39;s mandate and democracy.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A team of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) today arrested the son-in-law of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif Muhammad Safdar in connection with corruption cases pending against him

Pakistan's anti-corruption authorities on Monday arrested the son-in-law of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif from an airport in Pakistan in connection with corruption cases pending against him. A team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) took former army captain Muhammad Safdar into custody minutes after his arrival from London at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport. He was travelling with his wife Maryam Nawaz. Safdar has been named by NAB in one of three corruption cases filed on September 8 against Pakistan's former prime minister Sharif, his daughter Maraym, sons Husain and Hasan and his son-in-law Safdar. The couple had arrived to appear before an anti-graft tribunal in connection with the NAB reference pertaining to London properties owned by the Sharif family. Safdar was later presented before a court in Islamabad, NAB officials said. Maryam, who was not detained, separately appeared in the same court for the first time. However, Sharif and his two sons were absent as they are in London where 67-year-old Sharif's wife is battling throat cancer. Sharif attended the previous two hearings but went to London last week to see his ailing wife. The court held a brief hearing and took a break before announcing the hearing will resume shortly. During the hearing, Maryam was given copies of the case documents. Sharif's lawyer also presented an application to exempt him from appearance today as he was with his wife in London. The trial judge had earlier issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of Safdar and Sharif's two sons for failing to appear in court at the last hearing held on October 2. The court, however, repeated the bailable warrants for Sharif's daughter. "We are going back and will appear before the court and go through the wheels of justice. We respect the rule of law and the Constitution," local media quoted Maryam as saying. Asked whether her brothers would return to Pakistan to face the NAB references against them, she said, "Hassan and Hussain would themselves tell you about their decision." Safdar told Geo News that the couple had decided to return to Pakistan on the advice of their lawyers. Sharif had to step down as prime minister and president of the ruling PML-N party after he was disqualified by the Supreme Court on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal. Sharif was re-elected as the president of the ruling PML-N on October 3 and immediately demanded that those who disqualified him should respect the people's mandate and democracy.

Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law arrested on return to Pakistan

Pakistan&#39;s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that is&nbsp;currently probing ousted prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-nab-directorates-initiate-fresh-probes-against-sharif-family-19044" target="_blank">Nawaz Sharif and his family members</a> for graft&nbsp;has granted bail to Maryam, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sharifs-son-in-law-arrested-on-return-to-pakistan-21153" target="_blank">Sharif&#39;s daughter, and her husband, Captain Muhammad Safdar</a>&nbsp;on Monday.&nbsp;

Maryam Nawaz&nbsp;appeared in the Islamabad&nbsp;court&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;morning, while her husband who arrived in the country earlier in the day, reached the court later. Both had to file surety bonds&nbsp;of 5 million Pakistani Rupees&nbsp;each for their bails.&nbsp;

The court also barred Captain Safdar from leaving Pakistan without the court&#39;s permission.&nbsp;

Captain Safdar was taken into custody&nbsp;on his arrival at the Benazir Bhutto International airport with his wife, Maryam,&nbsp;on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Heavy security was deployed at&nbsp;the court for the&nbsp;high-profile&nbsp;appearances.&nbsp;Maryam&nbsp;and&nbsp;Capt&nbsp;Safdar left&nbsp;separately&nbsp;after their bail applications were granted.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The court, however, refused to grant a permanent exemption from appearance in court to Nawaz Sharif and only granted him exemption for today.&nbsp;Sharif had sought permanent exemption for attending to his wife who&nbsp;his&nbsp;ailing in London, United Kingdom.&nbsp;

The NAB prosecutors, however, demanded that the former PM be arrested as he left the country without informing the authorities probing the graft case, despite being a primary accused.&nbsp;

The court also issued perpetual warrants against Nawaz Sharif&#39;s two sons, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, and declared them proclaimed offenders for failing to appear in court despite repeated summons in the case. Also, their case has been separated from that of the rest of the family members.&nbsp;

Maryam Sharif, however, said that her brothers will decide whether or when to appear before the court.&nbsp;

&quot;My brothers live abroad... the laws of here (Pakistan) don&rsquo;t apply to them,&quot; Dawn quoted Maryam Sharif.&nbsp;

The hearing was adjourned until&nbsp;October 13, when members of the Sharif family will be indicted.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Maryam's husband Capt Safdar was taken into custody on arrival in Pakistan

Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that is currently probing ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members for graft has granted bail to Maryam, Sharif's daughter, and her husband, Captain Muhammad Safdar on Monday. Maryam Nawaz appeared in the Islamabad court on Monday morning, while her husband who arrived in the country earlier in the day, reached the court later. Both had to file surety bonds of 5 million Pakistani Rupees each for their bails. The court also barred Captain Safdar from leaving Pakistan without the court's permission. Captain Safdar was taken into custody on his arrival at the Benazir Bhutto International airport with his wife, Maryam, on Monday. Heavy security was deployed at the court for the high-profile appearances. Maryam and Capt Safdar left separately after their bail applications were granted. The court, however, refused to grant a permanent exemption from appearance in court to Nawaz Sharif and only granted him exemption for today. Sharif had sought permanent exemption for attending to his wife who his ailing in London, United Kingdom. The NAB prosecutors, however, demanded that the former PM be arrested as he left the country without informing the authorities probing the graft case, despite being a primary accused. The court also issued perpetual warrants against Nawaz Sharif's two sons, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, and declared them proclaimed offenders for failing to appear in court despite repeated summons in the case. Also, their case has been separated from that of the rest of the family members. Maryam Sharif, however, said that her brothers will decide whether or when to appear before the court. "My brothers live abroad... the laws of here (Pakistan) don’t apply to them," Dawn quoted Maryam Sharif. The hearing was adjourned until October 13, when members of the Sharif family will be indicted.

Pakistan: NAB grants bail to Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam, son-in-law

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-former-pm-sharif-appears-before-anti-corruption-court-20702" target="_blank">Sacked Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a second appearance before an anti-corruption court Monday</a>, as officials said he would be indicted at a later hearing on corruption charges that could ultimately see him jailed.

A helicopter hovered over the Islamabad court and supporters chanted slogans from behind security barriers as Sharif arrived in a convoy of BMW SUVs, escorted by elite police guards.

Media along with many lawyers and officials -- including Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal -- were prevented from entering the court, with security forces forming a human barrier as the former premier entered.

Sharif left again just over an hour and a half later without making any statement. Officials said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-appears-before-accountability-court-in-graft-case-20661" target="_blank">the case had been adjourned until October 9</a>, with no confirmation when the indictment might take place.

Sharif&#39;s sons Hussain and Hassan and his daughter Maryam have also been named in the case and are currently in London with their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharifs-wife-rushed-to-hospital-in-emergency-tweets-his-daughter-maryam-20751" target="_blank">mother Kalsum, who is receiving treatment for throat cancer</a>.&nbsp;

A court official told media that Sharif would be indicted &quot;when all accused are present in the court&quot;, though another senior official suggested later that if his children do not appear then his case could be tried separately.

Mohsin Ranjha, a leader of Sharif&#39;s ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party who spoke to reporters outside the court, said they were willing to return and appear before it. He did not say when.

Iqbal threatened to resign after he was blocked from the court, expressing fury that security forces under his authority appeared to have defied his orders and calling for the court process to be fully transparent.

&quot;I can&#39;t be a puppet interior minister...There can&#39;t be two states in one state,&quot; he said, alluding to Pakistan&#39;s military establishment, which has long clashed with Sharif and vied for power with the civilian government.

The Supreme Court deposed Sharif in July following an investigation into corruption allegations against him and his family, making him the 15th prime minister in Pakistan&#39;s 70-year history to be ousted before completing a full term.

The Supreme Court also banned him from holding public office and ordered the country&#39;s anti-corruption watchdog, the National Accountability Bureau, to open a criminal case against him and his children, which could see him facing imprisonment.

Sharif has faced such challenges before. In 1993 he was sacked from his first term as prime minister for corruption, while in 1999 he was sentenced by a military court to life in prison after his second term in office ended in an army coup.

On that occasion he was allowed to go into exile in Saudi Arabia, returning in 2007 to winning the premiership for the third time in 2013.

Sharif made his first appearance before the anti-corruption court last week.

He later held a press conference in which he vowed a landslide win for his ruling party in general elections due by the end of next year, and insisted he was seen as innocent in the court of public opinion.

Last month his wife Kalsum won his former parliamentary seat during a by-election in Lahore, in a poll seen as a test of the ruling party&#39;s popularity after his ousting.

A court official told media that Sharif would be indicted 'when all accused are present in the court'

Sacked Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a second appearance before an anti-corruption court Monday, as officials said he would be indicted at a later hearing on corruption charges that could ultimately see him jailed. A helicopter hovered over the Islamabad court and supporters chanted slogans from behind security barriers as Sharif arrived in a convoy of BMW SUVs, escorted by elite police guards. Media along with many lawyers and officials -- including Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal -- were prevented from entering the court, with security forces forming a human barrier as the former premier entered. Sharif left again just over an hour and a half later without making any statement. Officials said the case had been adjourned until October 9, with no confirmation when the indictment might take place. Sharif's sons Hussain and Hassan and his daughter Maryam have also been named in the case and are currently in London with their mother Kalsum, who is receiving treatment for throat cancer. A court official told media that Sharif would be indicted "when all accused are present in the court", though another senior official suggested later that if his children do not appear then his case could be tried separately. Mohsin Ranjha, a leader of Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party who spoke to reporters outside the court, said they were willing to return and appear before it. He did not say when. Iqbal threatened to resign after he was blocked from the court, expressing fury that security forces under his authority appeared to have defied his orders and calling for the court process to be fully transparent. "I can't be a puppet interior minister...There can't be two states in one state," he said, alluding to Pakistan's military establishment, which has long clashed with Sharif and vied for power with the civilian government. The Supreme Court deposed Sharif in July following an investigation into corruption allegations against him and his family, making him the 15th prime minister in Pakistan's 70-year history to be ousted before completing a full term. The Supreme Court also banned him from holding public office and ordered the country's anti-corruption watchdog, the National Accountability Bureau, to open a criminal case against him and his children, which could see him facing imprisonment. Sharif has faced such challenges before. In 1993 he was sacked from his first term as prime minister for corruption, while in 1999 he was sentenced by a military court to life in prison after his second term in office ended in an army coup. On that occasion he was allowed to go into exile in Saudi Arabia, returning in 2007 to winning the premiership for the third time in 2013. Sharif made his first appearance before the anti-corruption court last week. He later held a press conference in which he vowed a landslide win for his ruling party in general elections due by the end of next year, and insisted he was seen as innocent in the court of public opinion. Last month his wife Kalsum won his former parliamentary seat during a by-election in Lahore, in a poll seen as a test of the ruling party's popularity after his ousting.

Nawaz Sharif's indictment deferred to October 9

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party nominated ousted premier Nawaz Sharif as its leader on Monday, a government minister said, hours before<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-nawaz-sharifs-party-set-to-elect-him-chief-20911" target="_blank"> it used its parliamentary majority to amend a law to allow him to be re-elected party chief.</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharifs-indictment-deferred-to-october-9-20901" target="_blank">Sharif resigned as prime minister in July after the Supreme Court </a>disqualified him for not declaring a source of income. He was also forced to step down as president of PML-N, though he kept control of the party and installed Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a loyalist, as prime minister.

The party&#39;s state minister for interior, Talal Chaudhry, said a parliamentary meeting of the ruling party chaired by Abbasi had nominated Sharif as its leader. He said Sharif would be formally re-elected president in a session scheduled for Tuesday. &quot;He will become party president tomorrow, God willing,&quot; Chaudhry said.

Hours later, Pakistan&#39;s parliament amended a law to enable Sharif to re-take PML-N leadership. The amendment bill was presented by law minister Zahid Hamid and passed by the lower house with a majority.&nbsp;

&quot;We feel very strongly Nawaz Sharif has to lead our party. He&#39;s the symbol of unity in our party,&quot; said Rana Afzal Khan, a PML-N lawmaker.

Khan said Sharif was battling to assert &quot;civilian supremacy&quot; and boost democracy in a nation that has been beset by military interference in politics.

In protest, some opposition lawmakers tore up paper copies of the Election Bill 2017, passed by the Senate last week, that allows Sharif to become the party president again despite his disqualification by the court. But the vote was more of a formality as PML-N has a vast majority.

A previous election bill barred from office someone disqualified under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which was used by the courts to remove Sharif.&nbsp;

&quot;You are making a law for one person. You are putting the assembly on stake for one person,&quot; said Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the leader of Awami Muslim League, a small opposition party.

Sharif on Monday appeared before an anti-corruption court and is expected to be indicted next week, along with three of his children.&nbsp;

The veteran leader denies any wrongdoing and has alleged there was a conspiracy against him, with senior PML-N figures pointing fingers at elements of Pakistan&#39;s powerful military. The army denies playing a role.

Relations between the military and civilian establishment were strained again on Monday when the paramilitary Rangers force, nominally under the control of the interior ministry, barred Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal from entering the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) courts where Sharif appeared.

Iqbal, visibly angry, threatened to resign in protest.

&quot;I cannot be a puppet interior minister,&quot; Iqbal said. &quot;I am the interior minister and my subordinate force takes orders from somewhere else.&quot;

&quot;Two states cannot function in one state,&quot; he said.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party nominated ousted premier Nawaz Sharif as its leader on Monday.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party nominated ousted premier Nawaz Sharif as its leader on Monday, a government minister said, hours before it used its parliamentary majority to amend a law to allow him to be re-elected party chief. Sharif resigned as prime minister in July after the Supreme Court disqualified him for not declaring a source of income. He was also forced to step down as president of PML-N, though he kept control of the party and installed Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a loyalist, as prime minister. The party's state minister for interior, Talal Chaudhry, said a parliamentary meeting of the ruling party chaired by Abbasi had nominated Sharif as its leader. He said Sharif would be formally re-elected president in a session scheduled for Tuesday. "He will become party president tomorrow, God willing," Chaudhry said. Hours later, Pakistan's parliament amended a law to enable Sharif to re-take PML-N leadership. The amendment bill was presented by law minister Zahid Hamid and passed by the lower house with a majority. "We feel very strongly Nawaz Sharif has to lead our party. He's the symbol of unity in our party," said Rana Afzal Khan, a PML-N lawmaker. Khan said Sharif was battling to assert "civilian supremacy" and boost democracy in a nation that has been beset by military interference in politics. In protest, some opposition lawmakers tore up paper copies of the Election Bill 2017, passed by the Senate last week, that allows Sharif to become the party president again despite his disqualification by the court. But the vote was more of a formality as PML-N has a vast majority. A previous election bill barred from office someone disqualified under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which was used by the courts to remove Sharif. "You are making a law for one person. You are putting the assembly on stake for one person," said Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the leader of Awami Muslim League, a small opposition party. Sharif on Monday appeared before an anti-corruption court and is expected to be indicted next week, along with three of his children. The veteran leader denies any wrongdoing and has alleged there was a conspiracy against him, with senior PML-N figures pointing fingers at elements of Pakistan's powerful military. The army denies playing a role. Relations between the military and civilian establishment were strained again on Monday when the paramilitary Rangers force, nominally under the control of the interior ministry, barred Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal from entering the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) courts where Sharif appeared. Iqbal, visibly angry, threatened to resign in protest. "I cannot be a puppet interior minister," Iqbal said. "I am the interior minister and my subordinate force takes orders from somewhere else." "Two states cannot function in one state," he said.

PMLN nominates Nawaz Sharif as party leader

Ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif may be well on his way to being re-elected as the president of his political party.&nbsp;

Pakistan daily, Dawn, reported that on Monday the ruling PML-N has cleared the way for Sharif to be re-elected as the party president.&nbsp;

Party leaders decided in a Central Working Committee meeting to amend the PML-N&#39;s constitution to allow any person to assume presidency even if he did not hold public office. This is effectively being seen as a move to ease Sharif into the position.&nbsp;

Prominent party leaders were present and agreed to the proposal. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, interim president Senator Sardar Yaqub Nasir, and the influential chief minister of Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province, &nbsp;Shahbaz Sharif were present in the meeting along with PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq.

A general council meeting of the party is also being held on Monday and Tuesday to re-elect Sharif as the president.&nbsp;

Sharif had appeared before and accountability court on Monday morning after which he reached Punjab House for an informal advisory session.

Pakistan&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharifs-indictment-deferred-to-october-9-20901">National Accountability Bureau (NAB)</a> has charged Nawaz Sharif and his family members in three cases of graft. He was not formally charged today, however, as his lawyer submitted to the court that all the accused needed to be present before they could be indicted. Hussain, Hassan, and Maryam, Sharif&#39;s three children and his son-in-law, Mohammad Safdar are also named in the case.&nbsp;

Non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued against the men and a bailable warrant for Sharif&#39;s daughter, Maryam. Earlier, Sharif was expected to fly out to London to call on his wife, Begum Kulsoom, who is undergoing treatment for cancer at a private hospital.

The PML-N leadership have agreed to amend its constitution to allow anyone not holding a public office to be its president

Ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif may be well on his way to being re-elected as the president of his political party. Pakistan daily, Dawn, reported that on Monday the ruling PML-N has cleared the way for Sharif to be re-elected as the party president. Party leaders decided in a Central Working Committee meeting to amend the PML-N's constitution to allow any person to assume presidency even if he did not hold public office. This is effectively being seen as a move to ease Sharif into the position. Prominent party leaders were present and agreed to the proposal. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, interim president Senator Sardar Yaqub Nasir, and the influential chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab province, Shahbaz Sharif were present in the meeting along with PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq. A general council meeting of the party is also being held on Monday and Tuesday to re-elect Sharif as the president. Sharif had appeared before and accountability court on Monday morning after which he reached Punjab House for an informal advisory session. Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has charged Nawaz Sharif and his family members in three cases of graft. He was not formally charged today, however, as his lawyer submitted to the court that all the accused needed to be present before they could be indicted. Hussain, Hassan, and Maryam, Sharif's three children and his son-in-law, Mohammad Safdar are also named in the case. Non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued against the men and a bailable warrant for Sharif's daughter, Maryam. Earlier, Sharif was expected to fly out to London to call on his wife, Begum Kulsoom, who is undergoing treatment for cancer at a private hospital.

Pakistan: Nawaz Sharif's party set to elect him as chief

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-supreme-court-rejects-nawaz-sharifs-plea-seeking-review-of-panamagate-verdict-20240">Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif</a> vowed to fight graft accusations after he appeared before an anti-corruption court on Tuesday, kicking off a trial threatening his party&#39;s chances at the next general election due in mid-2018.

Returning to Pakistan following a month abroad, Sharif lashed out against the judiciary after briefly appearing before a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court in Islamabad on three charges. He did not enter a plea.

&quot;I am fighting baseless cases based on lies and also getting punished,&quot; he told reporters.

TV channels reported that Sharif was scheduled to be formally charged on Oct. 2, about two months after his disqualification by the Supreme Court for not declaring a small source of income that he denied receiving.

A Supreme Court-appointed panel has also alleged<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistans-nab-recommends-seizure-of-nawaz-sharifs-assets-4602"> Sharif family&#39;s wealth </a>far exceeds its legal income.

Sharif, who returned from London on Monday, has portrayed his disqualification as efforts to subvert the will of the electorate.

&quot;I hope that there might be some justice still alive,&quot; Sharif said.

Sharif says the corruption claims against the family are politically motivated, while his allies, including daughter and heir-apparent Maryam, have hinted Pakistan&#39;s powerful military had a hand in his toppling. The military denies any such action.

Two of Sharif&#39;s sons and Maryam are also due to appear before a NAB court, as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a long-time ally who is married into the Sharif family.

&quot;It&#39;s a good thing that finally NAB and such institutions are holding rich and powerful to account,&quot; said Shafqat Mahmood, a senior member of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

PTI, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan who doggedly pushed the Supreme Court into launching the corruption probe into Sharif, has called for an early election but it is unlikely the government will agree to that.

Sharif&#39;s return to Pakistan quashed growing speculation that his absence was the start of another period in exile for the veteran leader whose three stints as prime minister were all cut short, including one by a military coup in 1999.

Analysts say Sharif&#39;s return to Pakistan was in large part due to fears of defections within the PML-N, a common occurrence in a nation where politicians switch allegiances ahead of polls depending on which way the political winds are blowing.

Sharif kept control of PML-N after his ouster and installed loyalist Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister.

The Supreme Court has told the NAB courts that the trials into the Sharifs must be over within six months, with opponents betting that a flow of negative news from the trials will hurt PML-N&#39;s popularity at the next election.

Returning to Pakistan following a month abroad, Sharif lashed out against the judiciary after briefly appearing before a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court in Islamabad on three charges. He did not enter a plea.

Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed to fight graft accusations after he appeared before an anti-corruption court on Tuesday, kicking off a trial threatening his party's chances at the next general election due in mid-2018. Returning to Pakistan following a month abroad, Sharif lashed out against the judiciary after briefly appearing before a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court in Islamabad on three charges. He did not enter a plea. "I am fighting baseless cases based on lies and also getting punished," he told reporters. TV channels reported that Sharif was scheduled to be formally charged on Oct. 2, about two months after his disqualification by the Supreme Court for not declaring a small source of income that he denied receiving. A Supreme Court-appointed panel has also alleged Sharif family's wealth far exceeds its legal income. Sharif, who returned from London on Monday, has portrayed his disqualification as efforts to subvert the will of the electorate. "I hope that there might be some justice still alive," Sharif said. Sharif says the corruption claims against the family are politically motivated, while his allies, including daughter and heir-apparent Maryam, have hinted Pakistan's powerful military had a hand in his toppling. The military denies any such action. Two of Sharif's sons and Maryam are also due to appear before a NAB court, as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a long-time ally who is married into the Sharif family. "It's a good thing that finally NAB and such institutions are holding rich and powerful to account," said Shafqat Mahmood, a senior member of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. PTI, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan who doggedly pushed the Supreme Court into launching the corruption probe into Sharif, has called for an early election but it is unlikely the government will agree to that. Sharif's return to Pakistan quashed growing speculation that his absence was the start of another period in exile for the veteran leader whose three stints as prime minister were all cut short, including one by a military coup in 1999. Analysts say Sharif's return to Pakistan was in large part due to fears of defections within the PML-N, a common occurrence in a nation where politicians switch allegiances ahead of polls depending on which way the political winds are blowing. Sharif kept control of PML-N after his ouster and installed loyalist Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister. The Supreme Court has told the NAB courts that the trials into the Sharifs must be over within six months, with opponents betting that a flow of negative news from the trials will hurt PML-N's popularity at the next election.

Pakistan's ex-PM Nawaz Sharif vows to fight corruption charges

Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister&nbsp;Nawaz&nbsp;Sharif&nbsp;appeared before an anti-corruption court on Tuesday, kicking off trial proceedings that he says are biased and which threaten to dent his party&#39;s chances at the next general election due in mid-2018.

Sharif&nbsp;briefly appeared before a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court in Islamabad on three corruption charges. He did not enter a plea.

Local TV channels reported that&nbsp;Sharif&nbsp;is scheduled to be formally indicted on Oct. 2, about two months after his disqualification by the Supreme Court for not declaring a small source of income that he denied receiving.

A Supreme Court panel has also alleged&nbsp;Sharif&nbsp;family&#39;s wealth far exceeds their legal income.

&quot;He has appeared before the court and by appearing he has proved to be a lion,&quot; said Marvi Memom, a lawmaker for&nbsp;Sharif&#39;s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz&nbsp;(PML-N)party.

Sharif, who returned from London on Monday after about a month in Britain, told the court his wife was being treated for cancer in London and needs his care.

He did not speak to the media after his court appearance but is due to hold a televised press conference at 3 pm (1000 GMT).

Sharif&nbsp;has portrayed the corruption claims against him as politically motivated, while his allies, including daughter and heir-apparent Maryam, have hinted Pakistan&#39;s powerful military had a hand in his toppling. The military denies any such action.

&quot;It&#39;s a good thing that finally NAB and such institutions are holding rich and powerful to the count,&quot; said Shafqat Mahmood,&nbsp;a senior member&nbsp;of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

PTI, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan who doggedly pushed the Supreme Court into launching a corruption probe into&nbsp;Sharif, has called for an early election but it is unlikely the government will agree to that.

Sharif&#39;s returned to Pakistan quashed growing speculation that his long absence was the start of another period in exile for the veteran leader whose three stints as prime minister were all cut short, including one by a military coup in 1999.

&quot;What kind of justice is this, what kind of accountability is this?&quot;&nbsp;Sharif&nbsp;told reporters outside his upscale London apartment in London before departing for Islamabad on Sunday.

Two of&nbsp;Sharif&#39;s sons are also due to appear before a NAB court, as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a long-time ally who is married into the&nbsp;Sharif&nbsp;family.

Analysts say&nbsp;Sharif&#39;s return to Pakistan was in large part due to fears of defections within the PML-N, a common occurrence in a nation where politicians switch allegiances ahead of polls depending on which way the political winds are blowing.

Sharif&nbsp;kept control of PML-N after his ouster and installed loyalist Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister.

The Supreme Court has told the NAB courts that the trials into the&nbsp;Sharifs must be over within six months, with opponents betting that a flow of negative news from the trials will hurt PML-N&#39;s popularity ahead at the next election.

Sharif?briefly appeared before a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court in Islamabad on three corruption charges. He did not enter a plea.

Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeared before an anti-corruption court on Tuesday, kicking off trial proceedings that he says are biased and which threaten to dent his party's chances at the next general election due in mid-2018. Sharif briefly appeared before a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court in Islamabad on three corruption charges. He did not enter a plea. Local TV channels reported that Sharif is scheduled to be formally indicted on Oct. 2, about two months after his disqualification by the Supreme Court for not declaring a small source of income that he denied receiving. A Supreme Court panel has also alleged Sharif family's wealth far exceeds their legal income. "He has appeared before the court and by appearing he has proved to be a lion," said Marvi Memom, a lawmaker for Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)party. Sharif, who returned from London on Monday after about a month in Britain, told the court his wife was being treated for cancer in London and needs his care. He did not speak to the media after his court appearance but is due to hold a televised press conference at 3 pm (1000 GMT). Sharif has portrayed the corruption claims against him as politically motivated, while his allies, including daughter and heir-apparent Maryam, have hinted Pakistan's powerful military had a hand in his toppling. The military denies any such action. "It's a good thing that finally NAB and such institutions are holding rich and powerful to the count," said Shafqat Mahmood, a senior member of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. PTI, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan who doggedly pushed the Supreme Court into launching a corruption probe into Sharif, has called for an early election but it is unlikely the government will agree to that. Sharif's returned to Pakistan quashed growing speculation that his long absence was the start of another period in exile for the veteran leader whose three stints as prime minister were all cut short, including one by a military coup in 1999. "What kind of justice is this, what kind of accountability is this?" Sharif told reporters outside his upscale London apartment in London before departing for Islamabad on Sunday. Two of Sharif's sons are also due to appear before a NAB court, as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, a long-time ally who is married into the Sharif family. Analysts say Sharif's return to Pakistan was in large part due to fears of defections within the PML-N, a common occurrence in a nation where politicians switch allegiances ahead of polls depending on which way the political winds are blowing. Sharif kept control of PML-N after his ouster and installed loyalist Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister. The Supreme Court has told the NAB courts that the trials into the Sharifs must be over within six months, with opponents betting that a flow of negative news from the trials will hurt PML-N's popularity ahead at the next election.

Pakistan's ex-PM Sharif appears before anti-corruption court, set to be indicted

Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif &nbsp;appeared before a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court on Tuesday in relation to the three corruption cases against him in the Panama Papers case, The Dawn reported.

The proceedings lasted for a very short while as the former Pakistan prime minister informed the court that he needed to attend to his wife who was unwell. The court granted him permission to leave, report in The Dawn said.

The appearance was just a formality to ensure that the accused was ready to face the trial, PTI reported.

Nawaz Sharif, who arrived from London yesterday, had been summoned by the court after his failure to appear at a hearing on September 19.

The court had also summoned his daughter Maryam, son-in-law capt (retd) Safdar, and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan - to appear before it today. 
His sons, however, excused themselves on account of their mother&#39;s ill-health.

Nawaz Sharif is expected to hold important meetings with aides and to address media in the evening, PML-N sources told PTI.

Sharif was in London from August 31 to be with his ailing wife Kulsoom who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer.

He decided to return to Pakistan after consultations with senior party leaders including his younger brother and Punjab province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in London.

The NAB has filed three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his sons, son-in-law, and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Accountability Court in Islamabad and Rawalpindi recently.

Last week, the anti-graft body froze the bank accounts and seized properties of the former Pakistan PM and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court.

The proceedings lasted for a very short while as the former Pakistan prime minister informed the court that he needed to attend to his wife who was unwell

Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif appeared before a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court on Tuesday in relation to the three corruption cases against him in the Panama Papers case, The Dawn reported. The proceedings lasted for a very short while as the former Pakistan prime minister informed the court that he needed to attend to his wife who was unwell. The court granted him permission to leave, report in The Dawn said. The appearance was just a formality to ensure that the accused was ready to face the trial, PTI reported. Nawaz Sharif, who arrived from London yesterday, had been summoned by the court after his failure to appear at a hearing on September 19. The court had also summoned his daughter Maryam, son-in-law capt (retd) Safdar, and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan - to appear before it today. His sons, however, excused themselves on account of their mother's ill-health. Nawaz Sharif is expected to hold important meetings with aides and to address media in the evening, PML-N sources told PTI. Sharif was in London from August 31 to be with his ailing wife Kulsoom who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer. He decided to return to Pakistan after consultations with senior party leaders including his younger brother and Punjab province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in London. The NAB has filed three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his sons, son-in-law, and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Accountability Court in Islamabad and Rawalpindi recently. Last week, the anti-graft body froze the bank accounts and seized properties of the former Pakistan PM and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court.

Nawaz Sharif appears before accountability court in graft case

Former Pakistan&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-appears-before-accountability-court-in-graft-case-20661">Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeared before an</a> anti-corruption court in Islamabad on Tuesday. His court appearance comes a day after he returned home from London where his wife is being treated.&nbsp;

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-supreme-court-rejects-nawaz-sharifs-plea-seeking-review-of-panamagate-verdict-20240">National Accountability Bureau(NAB) has filed three</a> cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his sons, son-in-law, and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Accountability Court in Islamabad and Rawalpindi recently.

Sharif lashed out at&nbsp;the judiciary after briefly appearing before the court, he did not enter a plea.

&quot;I am fighting baseless cases based on lies and also getting punished,&quot; Sharif told reporters.

&quot;I hope that there might be some justice still alive,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Last week, the anti-graft body froze the bank accounts and seized properties of the former Pakistan PM and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court.

Pakistan's overthrown PM Sharif has been accused of three corruption charges, filed against him by country's anti-corruption body

Former Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeared before an anti-corruption court in Islamabad on Tuesday. His court appearance comes a day after he returned home from London where his wife is being treated. The National Accountability Bureau(NAB) has filed three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his sons, son-in-law, and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Accountability Court in Islamabad and Rawalpindi recently. Sharif lashed out at the judiciary after briefly appearing before the court, he did not enter a plea. "I am fighting baseless cases based on lies and also getting punished," Sharif told reporters. "I hope that there might be some justice still alive," he added. Last week, the anti-graft body froze the bank accounts and seized properties of the former Pakistan PM and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court.

'I am fighting baseless cases', says Sharif

The&nbsp;wife&nbsp;of&nbsp;ousted&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-supreme-court-rejects-nawaz-sharifs-plea-seeking-review-of-panamagate-verdict-20240">Pakistani&nbsp;Prime Minister Nawaz&nbsp;Sharif&nbsp;</a>on Sunday (September 17) captured his parliamentary seat with a reduced majority in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistanis-vote-in-by-election-seen-as-test-of-support-for-ousted-pm-sharif-20303">by-election </a>seen as a test of support for the&nbsp;Sharif&nbsp;dynasty ahead of the 2018 general election.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-nawaz-sahrif-family-requests-to-delay-hearing-4911">Sharif&#39;s daughter Maryam</a> said her mother Kulsoom won despite Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party workers being threatened and kidnapped. Although she did not name anyone, PML-N sources said she was referring to alleged intimidation by parts of Pakistan&#39;s powerful military.

The military could not be reached for comment.

The main opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party made gains but alleged voter irregularities in the eastern city of Lahore, the electoral heartlands of the&nbsp;Sharif&nbsp;family since 1980s.

Official results are yet to be announced but party officials who also tallied the numbers say Kulsoom, who did not campaign as she is receiving treatment for cancer in London, scooped about 53.5 percent of the vote, with the party&#39;s majority reduced from about 61 percent in the 2013 general election.

Sharif's daughter Maryam said her mother Kulsoom won despite Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party workers being threatened and kidnapped

The wife of ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday (September 17) captured his parliamentary seat with a reduced majority in a by-election seen as a test of support for the Sharif dynasty ahead of the 2018 general election. Sharif's daughter Maryam said her mother Kulsoom won despite Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party workers being threatened and kidnapped. Although she did not name anyone, PML-N sources said she was referring to alleged intimidation by parts of Pakistan's powerful military. The military could not be reached for comment. The main opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party made gains but alleged voter irregularities in the eastern city of Lahore, the electoral heartlands of the Sharif family since 1980s. Official results are yet to be announced but party officials who also tallied the numbers say Kulsoom, who did not campaign as she is receiving treatment for cancer in London, scooped about 53.5 percent of the vote, with the party's majority reduced from about 61 percent in the 2013 general election.

My mother has won Lahore seat, says Maryam Sharif

In a blow to Pakistan&#39;s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Supreme Court has rejected the petitions filed by Sharif and his children challenging its July Panamagate verdict that disqualified him as the prime minister.

The petitions, which were filed by Nawaz Sharif, his three children - Hussain Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz, Captain Safdar and Ishaq Dar, sought a review of the earlier Supreme Court verdict which came in July and led to the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of Pakistan.

The Supreme Court had ruled that Nawaz Sharif had been dishonest in not revealing his employment in the Dubai-based FZE company.

The top court had also asked the National Accountability&nbsp;Bureau (NAB) to file corruption cases against the Nawaz Sharif family.

The accountability court, on Wednesday, summoned Nawaz Sharif and his sons Hussain and Hassan on September 19. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Supreme Court of Pakistan had, in July, ordered the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as Pakistan's prime minister

In a blow to Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Supreme Court has rejected the petitions filed by Sharif and his children challenging its July Panamagate verdict that disqualified him as the prime minister. The petitions, which were filed by Nawaz Sharif, his three children - Hussain Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz, Captain Safdar and Ishaq Dar, sought a review of the earlier Supreme Court verdict which came in July and led to the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of Pakistan. The Supreme Court had ruled that Nawaz Sharif had been dishonest in not revealing his employment in the Dubai-based FZE company. The top court had also asked the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file corruption cases against the Nawaz Sharif family. The accountability court, on Wednesday, summoned Nawaz Sharif and his sons Hussain and Hassan on September 19.

Pakistan: Supreme Court rejects Nawaz Sharif's plea seeking review of Panamagate verdict

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has begun fresh investigations to prepare four references against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif&#39;s family in accordance with the July 28 Supreme Court verdict for his disqualification.

The National Accountability Bureau,the country&#39;s apex anti-corruption organisation has been given six- week deadline to finalise Nawaz Sharif, his children Hassan, Hussain and Maryam Nawaz corruption cases.But it may take longer time to submit admissible evidence before the court along with the prosecution witnesses to prove the cases in addition to relying on the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report in the Panama Papers case.

A NAB official said that if the bureau did not rely on the JIT report and went for fresh investigations, it might not use some evidence brought by the team before the Supreme Court in its 60-day proceedings, the Dawn reported.

According to him, the JIT, because of a time constraint, had collected certain documents, about the &#39;money trail&#39; and foreign companies owned by the Sharif family, directly and through experts and they had been accorded weight by the Supreme Court.

The NAB Executive Board approved in its meeting on July 31 the filing of the references related to the apartments in London and steel mills in Saudi Arabia of the Sharif family, companies owned by the children of the former premier and possession by finance minister Ishaq Dar of assets beyond his known sources of income.

The sources said that NAB&#39;s Lahore directorate was working on a reference about flats 16, 16-A, 17 and 17-A at Avenfield House, Park Lane, London, that would be filed against Sharif, his daughter Maryam and sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz and son-in-law retired Capt Mohammad Safdar, the Dawn reported.

The court had observed that they had failed to prove themselves innocent before the JIT with regard to the ownership of offshore companies and assets which allegedly were disproportionate to their declared sources of income.

The bureau&#39;s Lahore directorate will also hold investigations against Hussain , Hassan and Maryam Nawaz with regard to the setting up of the companies mentioned in Paragraph 9 of the court&#39;s judgement - Flagship Investments, Hartstone Proper&shy;ties, Que Holdings, Quint Eaton Place 2, Quint Saloane (formerly Quint Eaton Place Limited), Quaint Limited, Flagship Securities, Quint Gloucester Place, Quint Paddington (formerly Rivates Estates Limited), Flagship Developments, Alanna Services in British Virgin Islands, Lankin SA (BVI), Chadron Inc, Ansbacher, Coomber and Capital Free Zone Establishment (Dubai).

The Rawalpindi directorate will file a reference regarding the setting up of Azizia Steel Company and Hill Metal Establishment against Mr Sharif and his sons.

The same directorate may prepare the reference against Mr Dar for possessing assets beyond his known sources of income.

The National Accountability Bureau has been given a six-week deadline to finalise Nawaz Sharif, his children Hassan, Hussain and Maryam Nawaz corruption cases

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has begun fresh investigations to prepare four references against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif's family in accordance with the July 28 Supreme Court verdict for his disqualification. The National Accountability Bureau,the country's apex anti-corruption organisation has been given six- week deadline to finalise Nawaz Sharif, his children Hassan, Hussain and Maryam Nawaz corruption cases.But it may take longer time to submit admissible evidence before the court along with the prosecution witnesses to prove the cases in addition to relying on the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report in the Panama Papers case. A NAB official said that if the bureau did not rely on the JIT report and went for fresh investigations, it might not use some evidence brought by the team before the Supreme Court in its 60-day proceedings, the Dawn reported. According to him, the JIT, because of a time constraint, had collected certain documents, about the 'money trail' and foreign companies owned by the Sharif family, directly and through experts and they had been accorded weight by the Supreme Court. The NAB Executive Board approved in its meeting on July 31 the filing of the references related to the apartments in London and steel mills in Saudi Arabia of the Sharif family, companies owned by the children of the former premier and possession by finance minister Ishaq Dar of assets beyond his known sources of income. The sources said that NAB's Lahore directorate was working on a reference about flats 16, 16-A, 17 and 17-A at Avenfield House, Park Lane, London, that would be filed against Sharif, his daughter Maryam and sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz and son-in-law retired Capt Mohammad Safdar, the Dawn reported. The court had observed that they had failed to prove themselves innocent before the JIT with regard to the ownership of offshore companies and assets which allegedly were disproportionate to their declared sources of income. The bureau's Lahore directorate will also hold investigations against Hussain , Hassan and Maryam Nawaz with regard to the setting up of the companies mentioned in Paragraph 9 of the court's judgement - Flagship Investments, Hartstone Properties, Que Holdings, Quint Eaton Place 2, Quint Saloane (formerly Quint Eaton Place Limited), Quaint Limited, Flagship Securities, Quint Gloucester Place, Quint Paddington (formerly Rivates Estates Limited), Flagship Developments, Alanna Services in British Virgin Islands, Lankin SA (BVI), Chadron Inc, Ansbacher, Coomber and Capital Free Zone Establishment (Dubai). The Rawalpindi directorate will file a reference regarding the setting up of Azizia Steel Company and Hill Metal Establishment against Mr Sharif and his sons. The same directorate may prepare the reference against Mr Dar for possessing assets beyond his known sources of income.

Pakistan: NAB directorates initiate fresh probes against Sharif family

Shahbaz Sharif will continue as Punjab chief minister as leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are mulling over options, who would replace former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the party chief, in regard to a notice from election commision, following Sharif&#39;s disqualification from office.

&quot;We did discuss all available options for a new party chief but could not arrive at a decision...we decided to hold huddles for a couple of more days keeping in view various legal and political sensitivities involved with the issue,&quot; the Dawn quoted Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana as saying.

The leaders, at a consultative meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence, however, decided to continue with the party&#39;s &quot;mass-contact drive,&quot; in the wake of a &quot;positive&quot; response from supporters, along the former Prime Minister&#39;s rally on GT Road.

The meeting was attended by National assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, MNA Hamza Shahbaz, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Anushe Rehman, former law minister Zahid Hamid and ex-IG Rana Maqbool.

The Election Commission asked the PML-N on August 7 to elect a new chief as election laws do not permit a person to serve as an office-bearer of a political entity, who have been disqualified from holding office.

Earlier, party chairman Raja Zafarul Haq had said that Shahbaz Sharif had been finalised as the new PML-N president and a formal announcement to the effect would be made within two days.

The former prime minister of Pakistan had earlier wished that his younger brother Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif should succeed him as prime minister (after contesting from NA-120 to become a National Assembly member).

Former first lady Begum Kulsoom might be the next party president and that her nomination was pending clearance of her candidature for NA-120 by-polls with the Election Commission. She is to appear before the returning officer on Wednesday (today) as her rival candidates have raised objections to her nomination papers.

The Election Commission asked the PML-N on August 7 to elect a new chief as election laws do not permit a person to serve as an office-bearer of a political entity, who have been disqualified from holding office

Shahbaz Sharif will continue as Punjab chief minister as leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are mulling over options, who would replace former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the party chief, in regard to a notice from election commision, following Sharif's disqualification from office. "We did discuss all available options for a new party chief but could not arrive at a decision...we decided to hold huddles for a couple of more days keeping in view various legal and political sensitivities involved with the issue," the Dawn quoted Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana as saying. The leaders, at a consultative meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence, however, decided to continue with the party's "mass-contact drive," in the wake of a "positive" response from supporters, along the former Prime Minister's rally on GT Road. The meeting was attended by National assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, MNA Hamza Shahbaz, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Anushe Rehman, former law minister Zahid Hamid and ex-IG Rana Maqbool. The Election Commission asked the PML-N on August 7 to elect a new chief as election laws do not permit a person to serve as an office-bearer of a political entity, who have been disqualified from holding office. Earlier, party chairman Raja Zafarul Haq had said that Shahbaz Sharif had been finalised as the new PML-N president and a formal announcement to the effect would be made within two days. The former prime minister of Pakistan had earlier wished that his younger brother Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif should succeed him as prime minister (after contesting from NA-120 to become a National Assembly member). Former first lady Begum Kulsoom might be the next party president and that her nomination was pending clearance of her candidature for NA-120 by-polls with the Election Commission. She is to appear before the returning officer on Wednesday (today) as her rival candidates have raised objections to her nomination papers.

Pakistan: PML-N mulls over new party chief

Pakistan&#39;s ousted premier Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that he wants Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to continue as Prime Minister till the completion of the PML-N government&#39;s tenure. 
 
Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court last month in connection with the Panama Papers scandal. The 67-year-old veteran politician soon resigned from his position and Abbasi was sworn-in as premier. 
 
Sharif had initially announced that Abbasi will be appointed as interim premier until his brother Shehbaz is elected as a member of Parliament to become premier. 
 
However, he had to review the decision due to fears that Punjab, which is the power house of the country, would face problems in the absence of Shehbaz as chief minister, according to sources in the PML-N. 
 
&quot;It is my wish that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi remains prime minister till the end of the tenure,&quot; Sharif said while addressing senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at the Punjab House here. 
 
Party sources quoted Sharif as saying that Abbasi was a party veteran and a committed worker. He also urged the cabinet ministers to fully cooperate with the Prime Minister. 
 
Sharif made the remarks just before leaving for Lahore, where he will hold a huge rally. 
 
The current PML-N government would complete its tenure in June next year when elections would be held. 
 
Party sources said that Sharif feared defections as several contenders for the post of chief minister appeared in Punjab after his decision to elevate Shehbaz. 
 
In his address to PML-N leaders, Sharif appreciated his younger brother and said he was the pride of Pakistan and Punjab as he made the province a model of development. 
 
Responding to objections that his travel plan was against the court verdict, Sharif said that he was travelling via the Grand Trunk Road to thank his supporters. 
 
Sources said that Sharif spoke to his family members, including Shehbaz in Lahore, before embarking on his journey to Lahore. 
 
&quot;It is the people&#39;s trust that inspires Nawaz Sharif. May Allah keep my brother, my leader and all the participants of rally in his protection,&quot; Shehbaz tweeted. 
 
Shehbaz also defended the rally and said it was the fundamental right of every political party to stay in touch with the people. 
 
&quot;It is the linchpin of the democratic order and oxygen for political parties,&quot; he said. 
&nbsp;

Sharif had initially announced that Abbasi will be appointed as interim premier until his brother Shehbaz is elected as a member of Parliament to become premier

Pakistan's ousted premier Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that he wants Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to continue as Prime Minister till the completion of the PML-N government's tenure. Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court last month in connection with the Panama Papers scandal. The 67-year-old veteran politician soon resigned from his position and Abbasi was sworn-in as premier. Sharif had initially announced that Abbasi will be appointed as interim premier until his brother Shehbaz is elected as a member of Parliament to become premier. However, he had to review the decision due to fears that Punjab, which is the power house of the country, would face problems in the absence of Shehbaz as chief minister, according to sources in the PML-N. "It is my wish that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi remains prime minister till the end of the tenure," Sharif said while addressing senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at the Punjab House here. Party sources quoted Sharif as saying that Abbasi was a party veteran and a committed worker. He also urged the cabinet ministers to fully cooperate with the Prime Minister. Sharif made the remarks just before leaving for Lahore, where he will hold a huge rally. The current PML-N government would complete its tenure in June next year when elections would be held. Party sources said that Sharif feared defections as several contenders for the post of chief minister appeared in Punjab after his decision to elevate Shehbaz. In his address to PML-N leaders, Sharif appreciated his younger brother and said he was the pride of Pakistan and Punjab as he made the province a model of development. Responding to objections that his travel plan was against the court verdict, Sharif said that he was travelling via the Grand Trunk Road to thank his supporters. Sources said that Sharif spoke to his family members, including Shehbaz in Lahore, before embarking on his journey to Lahore. "It is the people's trust that inspires Nawaz Sharif. May Allah keep my brother, my leader and all the participants of rally in his protection," Shehbaz tweeted. Shehbaz also defended the rally and said it was the fundamental right of every political party to stay in touch with the people. "It is the linchpin of the democratic order and oxygen for political parties," he said.

Shahid Abbasi should remain PM till elections: Nawaz Sharif

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has shattered the dreams of his younger brother Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif of becoming prime minister and of his nephew (Hamza) to take up the reins in Punjab.

A federal minister said that the decision to &#39;retain&#39;&nbsp;Shehbaz in Punjab had been finalised and just a mere &quot;official&quot; announcement is left from the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) about withdrawing Shehbaz from the National Assembly NA-120 race.

&quot;The extended cabinet of Abbasi is a proof of it,&quot; he said, adding the current arrangement suited the leadership as Nawaz Sharif would see matters in the Centre and Shehbaz Sharif in Punjab.

A number of PML-N leaders in Punjab believe that Shehbaz has missed or made to miss a &quot;golden opportunity&quot; to succeed his elder brother as there is no guarantee he will make it to Islamabad to don the premier&#39;s cap in 2018 in case the PML-N wins the election as more players from the elder Sharif family may be in the race for the top slot, the Dawn reports.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said: &quot;The decision that Shehbaz Sharif will continue serving in Punjab is almost certain.&quot;

Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan said that the parliamentary party headed by Nawaz Sharif was authorised to announce reversal of its earlier decision (to nominate Shehbaz for prime minister&#39;s slot).

Khan however denied any differences in the Sharif brothers saying the crisis had even further united them and Shehbaz would follow his elder brother&#39;s instructions.

After Shehbaz was announced Nawaz Sharif&#39;s successor, the leaders in PML-N argued that Punjab cannot be left out as that would be disastrous for the party.

Shehbaz convinced Nawaz in the beginning that his son Hamza can take his place in Punjab.

Shehbaz had tried his best to convince Nawaz not to worry about Punjab and leave it to his son (Hamza).

To consolidate his case, Shehbaz managed to send a request to him (Nawaz) from more than 300 PML-N MPAs from Punjab, endorsing father in the centre and son in Punjab.

Khurram Dastgir said, &quot;Since Shehbaz has good equation with all MPAs in Punjab and all ongoing development projects are on his finger tips, a larger section of the party is of the view that he should continue delivering in Punjab.&quot;

Nawaz had announced after his disqualification by the Supreme Court that his younger brother would be prime minister after an interim arrangement of 45 days for which Abbasi was selected.&nbsp;

A federal minister said the current arrangement suited the leadership as Nawaz Sharif would see matters in the Centre and Shehbaz Sharif in Punjab

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has shattered the dreams of his younger brother Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif of becoming prime minister and of his nephew (Hamza) to take up the reins in Punjab. A federal minister said that the decision to 'retain' Shehbaz in Punjab had been finalised and just a mere "official" announcement is left from the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) about withdrawing Shehbaz from the National Assembly NA-120 race. "The extended cabinet of Abbasi is a proof of it," he said, adding the current arrangement suited the leadership as Nawaz Sharif would see matters in the Centre and Shehbaz Sharif in Punjab. A number of PML-N leaders in Punjab believe that Shehbaz has missed or made to miss a "golden opportunity" to succeed his elder brother as there is no guarantee he will make it to Islamabad to don the premier's cap in 2018 in case the PML-N wins the election as more players from the elder Sharif family may be in the race for the top slot, the Dawn reports. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said: "The decision that Shehbaz Sharif will continue serving in Punjab is almost certain." Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan said that the parliamentary party headed by Nawaz Sharif was authorised to announce reversal of its earlier decision (to nominate Shehbaz for prime minister's slot). Khan however denied any differences in the Sharif brothers saying the crisis had even further united them and Shehbaz would follow his elder brother's instructions. After Shehbaz was announced Nawaz Sharif's successor, the leaders in PML-N argued that Punjab cannot be left out as that would be disastrous for the party. Shehbaz convinced Nawaz in the beginning that his son Hamza can take his place in Punjab. Shehbaz had tried his best to convince Nawaz not to worry about Punjab and leave it to his son (Hamza). To consolidate his case, Shehbaz managed to send a request to him (Nawaz) from more than 300 PML-N MPAs from Punjab, endorsing father in the centre and son in Punjab. Khurram Dastgir said, "Since Shehbaz has good equation with all MPAs in Punjab and all ongoing development projects are on his finger tips, a larger section of the party is of the view that he should continue delivering in Punjab." Nawaz had announced after his disqualification by the Supreme Court that his younger brother would be prime minister after an interim arrangement of 45 days for which Abbasi was selected.

Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif likely to miss opportunity to become PM

The National Assembly of Pakistan will pick the country&#39;s 18th prime minister on Tuesday, following the July 28 landmark judgement in the Panamagate case, in which a five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding any public office.

Major political parties have already fielded their respective candidates for the day.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has fielded Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as its candidate, whereas the Pakistan People&#39;s Party (PPP) has nominated Khursheed Shah and Naveed Qamar.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has fielded Sheikh Rashid as it nominee.

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<h5>The speaker will announce the name of every member one by one and in alphabetical order to receive his/her ballot paper. The members would mark the candidate of their choice with a tick on the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box,&#39; Geo News reported.</h5>
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The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and the Jamaat-e-Islami have named Kishwar Zehra and Sahibzada Tariqullah respectively for the coveted post.

As the rules of the National Assembly go, the speaker will announce the process for members to elect a new Leader of the House.

&quot;The speaker will announce the name of every member one by one and in alphabetical order to receive his/her ballot paper. The members would mark the candidate of their choice with a tick on the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box,&quot; Geo News reported.

According to the Constitution, the process of the election will continue until a&nbsp;candidate achieves a clear majority, that is 172 votes.

The speaker will then announce the result and the president-elect and those who contested the election will then be given a chance to address the House. The incumbent president will then administer oath to the new prime minister and also to members of the new cabinet.&nbsp;

There are 342 members in the Assembly, each of whom will get one vote

The National Assembly of Pakistan will pick the country's 18th prime minister on Tuesday, following the July 28 landmark judgement in the Panamagate case, in which a five-judge bench unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding any public office. Major political parties have already fielded their respective candidates for the day. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has fielded Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as its candidate, whereas the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has nominated Khursheed Shah and Naveed Qamar. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has fielded Sheikh Rashid as it nominee. The speaker will announce the name of every member one by one and in alphabetical order to receive his/her ballot paper. The members would mark the candidate of their choice with a tick on the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box,' Geo News reported. × The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and the Jamaat-e-Islami have named Kishwar Zehra and Sahibzada Tariqullah respectively for the coveted post. As the rules of the National Assembly go, the speaker will announce the process for members to elect a new Leader of the House. "The speaker will announce the name of every member one by one and in alphabetical order to receive his/her ballot paper. The members would mark the candidate of their choice with a tick on the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box," Geo News reported. According to the Constitution, the process of the election will continue until a candidate achieves a clear majority, that is 172 votes. The speaker will then announce the result and the president-elect and those who contested the election will then be given a chance to address the House. The incumbent president will then administer oath to the new prime minister and also to members of the new cabinet.

Pakistan National Assembly to pick PM today, 6 candidates in fray

On Friday last, Nawaz Sharif, the third term prime minister of Pakistan, was ejected from office, by a landmark judgment of the country&rsquo;s Supreme Court [SC]. With this development, Pakistan has burnished its notorious reputation of ousting all serving PMs in its 70 years of existence and reinforcing a palpable sense of d&eacute;j&agrave; vu. Earlier Pakistani PMs were ousted by Governors-General, military coups or no-confidence motions in 1958 and 1977. The military dictator Zia-ul Huq even hanged a PM &ndash; Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The last elected PM before Sharif, Yousuf Raza Gilani, of the Pakistan People&rsquo;s Party [PPP], was also ejected from office by the SC in 2012. Following the verdict, Sharif resigned as PM and the Cabinet also stood dissolved. It is not clear whether Sharif can appeal this decision.

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<h5>No Pakistani PM has served a full 5-year term in office and Nawaz Sharif is the latest addition to this list.</h5>
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Already marked out internationally as the global hub of terrorism, the judicial coup against Sharif, is another blow to Pakistan&rsquo;s tattered image as a faltering democracy. During half of its existence, Pakistan has been under the jackboots of its powerful and imperious Army. No Pakistani PM has served a full 5-year term in office and Nawaz Sharif is the latest addition to this list. He has been on this list before. His earlier two stints in office were also rudely cut short, the last one in 1999, by General Pervez Musharaf&rsquo;s military coup.&nbsp;

After months of hearings and investigation in the so-called &ldquo;Panamagate&rdquo; affair, the five-member SC bench delivered a unanimous verdict indicting Sharif and his close family members for corruption, His two sons and daughter have also been implicated. The SC&rsquo;s verdict disqualified Sharif from holding the office of PM. The verdict is based on a technicality. The SC judged him to have violated Articles 62 and 63 of Pakistan&rsquo;s Constitution. These two provisions require all MPs to be truthful and righteous, conditions introduced by past military dictators ostensibly to keep legislators on a leash and manipulate and blackmail them when needed.&nbsp;

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<h5>The fact that the political class in Pakistan has a reputation for being highly corrupt has strengthened the hands of the Army which has projected itself as the final bastion of the State &ndash; defender of its security and ideology.</h5>
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These two provisions have been a useful tool in hands of the powerful military establishment or the &ldquo;deep state&rdquo; to control politicians in Pakistan. The fact that the political class in Pakistan has a reputation for being highly corrupt has strengthened the hands of the Army which has projected itself as the final bastion of the State &ndash; defender of its security and ideology. The Army&rsquo;s corrupt Generals and officers go scot free. The Core Commanders of the Army in Pakistan are derisively called &ldquo;crore commanders&rdquo; by the people of Pakistan. The Judiciary in Pakistan has mostly toed the Army&rsquo;s line and has justified military coups on the dubious legal principle of &ldquo;doctrine of necessity&rdquo;.

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<h5>The SC-appointed Joint Investigation Committee [JIT] in which 2 Brigadiers from the Military Intelligence and the ISI were inducted as members, produced a damning report, documenting corruption charges against Sharif, concealing facts, submitting forged documents, money laundering and illegal acquisition of properties abroad.</h5>
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The SC has directed the National Accountability Court [NAC] to file criminal charges for money laundering and other related acts of criminality. If convicted by the NAC, the Sharifs will be banned for life from standing for election and holding political office. The SC has ordered cases to be filed against all of them within six weeks. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has also been directed by the SC to de-notify the prime minister from his National Assembly seat to fulfil the technicalities of implementing the order. The SC directed the ECP to disqualify Sharif for not disclosing his role in the Dubai-based Capital FZE Company in his nomination papers, saying that this meant he was not &#39;honest&#39; and &#39;truthful&#39;. The SC-appointed Joint Investigation Committee [JIT] in which 2 Brigadiers from the Military Intelligence and the ISI were inducted as members, produced a damning report, documenting corruption charges against Sharif, concealing facts, submitting forged documents, money laundering and illegal acquisition of properties abroad.&nbsp;

The Panama papers had named many international leaders, businessmen and officials and Nawaz Sharif is the second victim, apart from the PM of Iceland. The latter resigned when the Panama papers were made public in 2015. Nawaz Sharif&rsquo;s name did not figure in the Panama papers but names of both his sons and the daughter figured in the documents. His daughter Mariam is Sharif&rsquo;s political heir. This is the third time that Nawaz Sharif has been rudely shoved aside from office. The last time he had to go into exile following a Saudi-brokered deal with dictator Musharraf. Sharif spent 10 years in exile in Saudi Arabia before returning to Pakistan.

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<h5>The Army has used a more sophisticated method of toppling Sharif via a judicial coup. The old fashioned direct military coup is no longer on the menu.</h5>
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Though expected, the SC decision has caused a political upheaval in Pakistan, a fragile democracy by any reckoning. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz [PML-N], Nawaz Sharif&rsquo;s political party has a comfortable majority in Parliament. Hence, the PML-N will have to elect a new PM and have him/her confirmed by the Parliament. As long as the PML-N can decide on the new candidate the party&rsquo;s majority in Parliament will ensure the confirmation of the PM-nominee.

The other option would be to call fresh elections, a demand that will be pressed by Opposition parties. New elections are not due till August 2018. Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz&rsquo;s brother and CM of Punjab has been named to succeed PM. Shahbaz is far less charismatic than his brother but has been CM thrice of Pakistan&rsquo;s most populous and influential Punjab province. Meanwhile, a close confidante and businessman, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a senior leader of the PML-N and former Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, has been named as interim PM. Shehbaz has to be elected to the National Parliament before he can assume charge as PM. Abbasi is expected to keep the chair warm for him.

While the Army has denied any conspiracy, it does take a leap of imagination to absolve the military establishment and the &ldquo;deep state&rdquo; of culpability. Relations between Sharif and the Army nosedived after media leaks of a bruising meeting wherein civilian officials warned Army officials of Pakistan&rsquo;s increasing global isolation because of the Army&rsquo;s policies on using terrorism as an instrument of State policy. The tussle of control over foreign policy, particularly towards India and Afghanistan has continued for quite some time. Sharif&rsquo;s inclination to normalise relations with India, his apparent friendship with PM Modi and criticism of the Army&rsquo;s support for jihadi militants, must have upset the Army whose fundamental belief of eternal hostility towards India and use of jihadi proxies was being questioned.&nbsp;

This led to a long drawn out tussle with the Army extracting its pound of flesh in the form of the&nbsp;sacking of officials involved in the media leak. Singed by the media leaks, the Army, in all probability, crossed the Rubicon and decided to bring down Sharif. The Army has used a more sophisticated method of toppling Sharif via a judicial coup. The old fashioned direct military coup is no longer on the menu. The Sharif family has no doubt acquired massive wealth and is perhaps not innocent of some of the charges. The case against them, however, is far from proven. Hence, the lingering suspicion that Sharif&rsquo;s ouster was a well-organised conspiracy by the Army.

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<h5>Instability in Pakistan and the Army&rsquo;s overpowering role in politics, policy making and support to jihadi terrorism have severely damaged relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India and caused a huge setback to regional cooperation efforts in SAARC.</h5>
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The Sharif episode is part of a long political saga and is a cause for concern for all. Instability in Pakistan and the Army&rsquo;s overpowering role in politics, policy making and support to jihadi terrorism have severely damaged relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India and caused a huge setback to regional cooperation efforts in SAARC. As history repeats itself in Pakistan, India can only wait and watch this domestic power struggle play out with the Army again.&nbsp;

One fallout in India has been demands for transparency in investigation into the 500 odd Indian names, including those of many BJP-friendly famous personalities who were named in the Panama papers. Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has to defend the Indian government&rsquo;s stand on this issue in the media. In so far as terrorism is concerned, India can expect no change. Even as the Pakistan Opposition parties like the PPP and cricketer-turned-politician or Imran Khan&rsquo;s PTI celebrate Sharif&rsquo;s fall, Opposition leaders too have skeletons in their cupboard and could meet the same fate as Sharif. Pakistan is caught in a bind with no escape route from the binary Civilian-Military struggle for power.

Instead of a military coup, Pakistani army has used a more sophisticated method of toppling Sharif via a judicial coup.

On Friday last, Nawaz Sharif, the third term prime minister of Pakistan, was ejected from office, by a landmark judgment of the country’s Supreme Court [SC]. With this development, Pakistan has burnished its notorious reputation of ousting all serving PMs in its 70 years of existence and reinforcing a palpable sense of déjà vu. Earlier Pakistani PMs were ousted by Governors-General, military coups or no-confidence motions in 1958 and 1977. The military dictator Zia-ul Huq even hanged a PM – Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The last elected PM before Sharif, Yousuf Raza Gilani, of the Pakistan People’s Party [PPP], was also ejected from office by the SC in 2012. Following the verdict, Sharif resigned as PM and the Cabinet also stood dissolved. It is not clear whether Sharif can appeal this decision. No Pakistani PM has served a full 5-year term in office and Nawaz Sharif is the latest addition to this list. × Already marked out internationally as the global hub of terrorism, the judicial coup against Sharif, is another blow to Pakistan’s tattered image as a faltering democracy. During half of its existence, Pakistan has been under the jackboots of its powerful and imperious Army. No Pakistani PM has served a full 5-year term in office and Nawaz Sharif is the latest addition to this list. He has been on this list before. His earlier two stints in office were also rudely cut short, the last one in 1999, by General Pervez Musharaf’s military coup. After months of hearings and investigation in the so-called “Panamagate” affair, the five-member SC bench delivered a unanimous verdict indicting Sharif and his close family members for corruption, His two sons and daughter have also been implicated. The SC’s verdict disqualified Sharif from holding the office of PM. The verdict is based on a technicality. The SC judged him to have violated Articles 62 and 63 of Pakistan’s Constitution. These two provisions require all MPs to be truthful and righteous, conditions introduced by past military dictators ostensibly to keep legislators on a leash and manipulate and blackmail them when needed. The fact that the political class in Pakistan has a reputation for being highly corrupt has strengthened the hands of the Army which has projected itself as the final bastion of the State – defender of its security and ideology. × These two provisions have been a useful tool in hands of the powerful military establishment or the “deep state” to control politicians in Pakistan. The fact that the political class in Pakistan has a reputation for being highly corrupt has strengthened the hands of the Army which has projected itself as the final bastion of the State – defender of its security and ideology. The Army’s corrupt Generals and officers go scot free. The Core Commanders of the Army in Pakistan are derisively called “crore commanders” by the people of Pakistan. The Judiciary in Pakistan has mostly toed the Army’s line and has justified military coups on the dubious legal principle of “doctrine of necessity”. The SC-appointed Joint Investigation Committee [JIT] in which 2 Brigadiers from the Military Intelligence and the ISI were inducted as members, produced a damning report, documenting corruption charges against Sharif, concealing facts, submitting forged documents, money laundering and illegal acquisition of properties abroad. × The SC has directed the National Accountability Court [NAC] to file criminal charges for money laundering and other related acts of criminality. If convicted by the NAC, the Sharifs will be banned for life from standing for election and holding political office. The SC has ordered cases to be filed against all of them within six weeks. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has also been directed by the SC to de-notify the prime minister from his National Assembly seat to fulfil the technicalities of implementing the order. The SC directed the ECP to disqualify Sharif for not disclosing his role in the Dubai-based Capital FZE Company in his nomination papers, saying that this meant he was not 'honest' and 'truthful'. The SC-appointed Joint Investigation Committee [JIT] in which 2 Brigadiers from the Military Intelligence and the ISI were inducted as members, produced a damning report, documenting corruption charges against Sharif, concealing facts, submitting forged documents, money laundering and illegal acquisition of properties abroad. The Panama papers had named many international leaders, businessmen and officials and Nawaz Sharif is the second victim, apart from the PM of Iceland. The latter resigned when the Panama papers were made public in 2015. Nawaz Sharif’s name did not figure in the Panama papers but names of both his sons and the daughter figured in the documents. His daughter Mariam is Sharif’s political heir. This is the third time that Nawaz Sharif has been rudely shoved aside from office. The last time he had to go into exile following a Saudi-brokered deal with dictator Musharraf. Sharif spent 10 years in exile in Saudi Arabia before returning to Pakistan. The Army has used a more sophisticated method of toppling Sharif via a judicial coup. The old fashioned direct military coup is no longer on the menu. × Though expected, the SC decision has caused a political upheaval in Pakistan, a fragile democracy by any reckoning. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz [PML-N], Nawaz Sharif’s political party has a comfortable majority in Parliament. Hence, the PML-N will have to elect a new PM and have him/her confirmed by the Parliament. As long as the PML-N can decide on the new candidate the party’s majority in Parliament will ensure the confirmation of the PM-nominee. The other option would be to call fresh elections, a demand that will be pressed by Opposition parties. New elections are not due till August 2018. Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz’s brother and CM of Punjab has been named to succeed PM. Shahbaz is far less charismatic than his brother but has been CM thrice of Pakistan’s most populous and influential Punjab province. Meanwhile, a close confidante and businessman, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a senior leader of the PML-N and former Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, has been named as interim PM. Shehbaz has to be elected to the National Parliament before he can assume charge as PM. Abbasi is expected to keep the chair warm for him. While the Army has denied any conspiracy, it does take a leap of imagination to absolve the military establishment and the “deep state” of culpability. Relations between Sharif and the Army nosedived after media leaks of a bruising meeting wherein civilian officials warned Army officials of Pakistan’s increasing global isolation because of the Army’s policies on using terrorism as an instrument of State policy. The tussle of control over foreign policy, particularly towards India and Afghanistan has continued for quite some time. Sharif’s inclination to normalise relations with India, his apparent friendship with PM Modi and criticism of the Army’s support for jihadi militants, must have upset the Army whose fundamental belief of eternal hostility towards India and use of jihadi proxies was being questioned. This led to a long drawn out tussle with the Army extracting its pound of flesh in the form of the sacking of officials involved in the media leak. Singed by the media leaks, the Army, in all probability, crossed the Rubicon and decided to bring down Sharif. The Army has used a more sophisticated method of toppling Sharif via a judicial coup. The old fashioned direct military coup is no longer on the menu. The Sharif family has no doubt acquired massive wealth and is perhaps not innocent of some of the charges. The case against them, however, is far from proven. Hence, the lingering suspicion that Sharif’s ouster was a well-organised conspiracy by the Army. Instability in Pakistan and the Army’s overpowering role in politics, policy making and support to jihadi terrorism have severely damaged relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India and caused a huge setback to regional cooperation efforts in SAARC. × The Sharif episode is part of a long political saga and is a cause for concern for all. Instability in Pakistan and the Army’s overpowering role in politics, policy making and support to jihadi terrorism have severely damaged relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India and caused a huge setback to regional cooperation efforts in SAARC. As history repeats itself in Pakistan, India can only wait and watch this domestic power struggle play out with the Army again. One fallout in India has been demands for transparency in investigation into the 500 odd Indian names, including those of many BJP-friendly famous personalities who were named in the Panama papers. Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has to defend the Indian government’s stand on this issue in the media. In so far as terrorism is concerned, India can expect no change. Even as the Pakistan Opposition parties like the PPP and cricketer-turned-politician or Imran Khan’s PTI celebrate Sharif’s fall, Opposition leaders too have skeletons in their cupboard and could meet the same fate as Sharif. Pakistan is caught in a bind with no escape route from the binary Civilian-Military struggle for power.

Nawaz Sharif unseated by Supreme Court: Army notches up another victory in Pakistan

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan led a host of PTI leaders as he addressed a huge rally in Islamabad &nbsp;to celebrate &quot;thanksgiving day&quot; celebrations after Nawaz Sharif&#39;s disqualification by the Supreme Court over corruption.

The former cricketer, whose party spearheaded the corruption complaint that led to Nawaz Sharif&#39;s disqualification, thanked Pakistan&#39;s Supreme Court for the crucial verdict, based on a probe by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

&quot;I want to thank five supreme court judges and I salute the JIT members,&quot; the PTI chief said.

&quot;We knocked on judiciary&rsquo;s doors instead of taking to the roads because the SC judges asked us to come to the court,&rdquo; he told jubilant supporters. &quot;We are thankful to the judiciary because with the judgment, they brought us a new hope.&quot;

PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier congratulated the members of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and the &quot;brave 5 judges who gave a historical decision.&quot; 
 
PTI leaders Jahangir Tareen&nbsp;and Asad Umar, and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed also addressed the rally.

Pakistan&#39;s parliament will elect the new prime minister on Tuesday.

Pakistan&#39;s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has named Nawaz Sharif&#39;s younger brother Shahbaz as his successor, but he must first get himself elected to Parliament by contesting the seat left vacant by Sharif.

The PML-N has meanwhile nominated ex-oil minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim prime minister.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief led a host of party leaders as he addressed a huge rally in Islamabad to celebrate Nawaz Sharif's disqualification by the Supreme Court

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan led a host of PTI leaders as he addressed a huge rally in Islamabad to celebrate "thanksgiving day" celebrations after Nawaz Sharif's disqualification by the Supreme Court over corruption. The former cricketer, whose party spearheaded the corruption complaint that led to Nawaz Sharif's disqualification, thanked Pakistan's Supreme Court for the crucial verdict, based on a probe by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT). "I want to thank five supreme court judges and I salute the JIT members," the PTI chief said. "We knocked on judiciary’s doors instead of taking to the roads because the SC judges asked us to come to the court,” he told jubilant supporters. "We are thankful to the judiciary because with the judgment, they brought us a new hope." PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi earlier congratulated the members of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and the "brave 5 judges who gave a historical decision." PTI leaders Jahangir Tareen and Asad Umar, and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed also addressed the rally. Pakistan's parliament will elect the new prime minister on Tuesday. Pakistan's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has named Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shahbaz as his successor, but he must first get himself elected to Parliament by contesting the seat left vacant by Sharif. The PML-N has meanwhile nominated ex-oil minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim prime minister.

At 'thanksgiving day' rally, Imran Khan thanks Pakistan Supreme Court for verdict against Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan&#39;s ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif named his brother Shahbaz, the chief minister of Punjab province, as his successor and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pml-n-to-nominate-shahid-khaqan-abbasi-as-interim-pm-18380">nominated ex-oil minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi</a> as an interim premier in a defiant speech Saturday.

The announcement charts a way forward for Pakistan after the Supreme Court deposed Sharif Friday following an investigation into corruption allegations against him and his family.

The ruling brought to an unceremonious end his historic third term in power and briefly plunged the country into political uncertainty.

&quot;I support Shahbaz Sharif after me but he will take time to contest elections so for the time being I nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi,&quot; Sharif said in a televised speech to his party.

The younger Sharif -- who has so far been unscathed by the corruption allegations engulfing his brother&#39;s family -- holds only a provincial seat, so must be elected to the national assembly before becoming the new prime minister.

But observers viewed the decision as a continuation of dynastic politics of Pakistan.&nbsp;

&quot;The nomination of Shahbaz Sharif as the next prime minister won&#39;t bring political stability, it will strengthen the culture of dynastic politics,&quot; political analyst Abid Hassan told AFP.

&quot;How can they not find one single individual in the whole party for the post of prime minister,&quot; he said.

Earlier Saturday the Election Commission of Pakistan confirmed fresh elections would be held in Nawaz Sharif&#39;s former constituency, in the family&#39;s power base of Punjab province, in a process which could take up to 45 days.&nbsp;

Considered more intelligent but less charismatic than his older brother, Shahbaz Sharif has controlled Punjab -- Pakistan&#39;s most populous and prosperous province -- for much of the last decade, presiding over a series of big ticket infrastructure projects.

Abbasi is set to be rubber-stamped as placeholder in a parliamentary vote, with Sharif&#39;s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) commanding a majority in the 342-seat house.

There was no immediate confirmation of when the vote would take place.

An electrical engineer and the businessman who launched Pakistan&#39;s most successful private airline, Air Blue, Abbasi is considered a highly-intelligent Sharif loyalist who has been elected to the national assembly six times since 1988.

The opposition could also field a candidate for the premiership, though the nominee has little chance of getting sufficient votes.

Nawaz Sharif became the 15th prime minister in Pakistan&#39;s 70-year history -- roughly half of which was under military rule -- to be ousted before completing a full term.&nbsp;

In his televised speech to PML-N parliamentary members Saturday, he angrily denounced the ruling and warned the country was &quot;descending into chaos&quot;.

&quot;I have no regrets... I will continue to fight for my vision of Pakistan,&quot; he said.

The Supreme Court said in its judgement Friday that it was disqualifying Sharif for failing to disclose his monthly salary of 10,000 dirhams ($2,700) from a company owned by his son in the United Arab Emirates.

Sharif did not withdraw the salary, court documents show, but the five-member bench ruled his failure to disclose its existence meant he was not &quot;honest&quot; -- a requirement for Pakistani politicians under the country&#39;s Constitution.

The decision sent his political opponents into the streets handing out sweets and beating drums in celebration.

Opposition leader Imran Khan, who has spearheaded the push against Sharif, hailed the verdict as ushering in a new dawn for Pakistan.

But Pakistanis were divided on whether it set the country&#39;s democratic progress back, with supporters and commentators and lamenting the ousting of a democratically elected premier on a &quot;technicality&quot; in what some termed a &quot;judicial coup&quot;.

Sharif&#39;s link to the UAE company was exposed as part of an investigation into corruption allegations against his family that erupted as a result of the Panama Papers leak last year.&nbsp;

The publication of 11.5 million secret documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca documenting the offshore dealings of many of the world&#39;s rich and powerful implicated three of Sharif&#39;s four children -- daughter Maryam and sons Hasan and Hussein.&nbsp;

Claims about the lavish lifestyles and luxury London property portfolio of the Sharif dynasty played out for months in endless loops in the country&#39;s raucous news media.

Bribery and other forms of graft are endemic in Pakistan. The PML-N has consistently and noisily denied the accusations, insisting that the dynasty&#39;s wealth was acquired legally through Sharif family businesses in Pakistan and the Gulf.

Earlier Saturday the Election Commission of Pakistan confirmed fresh elections would be held in Nawaz Sharif's former constituency, in the family's power base of Punjab province, in a process which could take up to 45 days

Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif named his brother Shahbaz, the chief minister of Punjab province, as his successor and nominated ex-oil minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as an interim premier in a defiant speech Saturday. The announcement charts a way forward for Pakistan after the Supreme Court deposed Sharif Friday following an investigation into corruption allegations against him and his family. The ruling brought to an unceremonious end his historic third term in power and briefly plunged the country into political uncertainty. "I support Shahbaz Sharif after me but he will take time to contest elections so for the time being I nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi," Sharif said in a televised speech to his party. The younger Sharif -- who has so far been unscathed by the corruption allegations engulfing his brother's family -- holds only a provincial seat, so must be elected to the national assembly before becoming the new prime minister. But observers viewed the decision as a continuation of dynastic politics of Pakistan. "The nomination of Shahbaz Sharif as the next prime minister won't bring political stability, it will strengthen the culture of dynastic politics," political analyst Abid Hassan told AFP. "How can they not find one single individual in the whole party for the post of prime minister," he said. Earlier Saturday the Election Commission of Pakistan confirmed fresh elections would be held in Nawaz Sharif's former constituency, in the family's power base of Punjab province, in a process which could take up to 45 days. Considered more intelligent but less charismatic than his older brother, Shahbaz Sharif has controlled Punjab -- Pakistan's most populous and prosperous province -- for much of the last decade, presiding over a series of big ticket infrastructure projects. Abbasi is set to be rubber-stamped as placeholder in a parliamentary vote, with Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) commanding a majority in the 342-seat house. There was no immediate confirmation of when the vote would take place. An electrical engineer and the businessman who launched Pakistan's most successful private airline, Air Blue, Abbasi is considered a highly-intelligent Sharif loyalist who has been elected to the national assembly six times since 1988. The opposition could also field a candidate for the premiership, though the nominee has little chance of getting sufficient votes. Nawaz Sharif became the 15th prime minister in Pakistan's 70-year history -- roughly half of which was under military rule -- to be ousted before completing a full term. In his televised speech to PML-N parliamentary members Saturday, he angrily denounced the ruling and warned the country was "descending into chaos". "I have no regrets... I will continue to fight for my vision of Pakistan," he said. The Supreme Court said in its judgement Friday that it was disqualifying Sharif for failing to disclose his monthly salary of 10,000 dirhams ($2,700) from a company owned by his son in the United Arab Emirates. Sharif did not withdraw the salary, court documents show, but the five-member bench ruled his failure to disclose its existence meant he was not "honest" -- a requirement for Pakistani politicians under the country's Constitution. The decision sent his political opponents into the streets handing out sweets and beating drums in celebration. Opposition leader Imran Khan, who has spearheaded the push against Sharif, hailed the verdict as ushering in a new dawn for Pakistan. But Pakistanis were divided on whether it set the country's democratic progress back, with supporters and commentators and lamenting the ousting of a democratically elected premier on a "technicality" in what some termed a "judicial coup". Sharif's link to the UAE company was exposed as part of an investigation into corruption allegations against his family that erupted as a result of the Panama Papers leak last year. The publication of 11.5 million secret documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca documenting the offshore dealings of many of the world's rich and powerful implicated three of Sharif's four children -- daughter Maryam and sons Hasan and Hussein. Claims about the lavish lifestyles and luxury London property portfolio of the Sharif dynasty played out for months in endless loops in the country's raucous news media. Bribery and other forms of graft are endemic in Pakistan. The PML-N has consistently and noisily denied the accusations, insisting that the dynasty's wealth was acquired legally through Sharif family businesses in Pakistan and the Gulf.

Pakistan: Nawaz Sharif names brother Shahbaz as successor, nominates Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim PM

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is set to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister following Nawaz Sharif&#39;s disqualification.

According to media reports, Abbasi&#39;s name was agreed upon in the meeting of the PML-N&#39;s advisory meeting by all members on Saturday.

The final nomination will be recognised in the party&#39;s parliamentary meeting.

After the interim prime minister is elected, a new cabinet will be formed.

Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif&#39;s ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008.

Abbasi is an elected member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 1988, representing Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, the party has announced Punjab Chief Minister and Nawaz Sharif&#39;s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Shehbaz will steer the country until the next general elections scheduled for 2018.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court five-judge larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa unanimously announced the Panamagate verdict leading to Sharif&#39;s disqualification.

The apex court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference against the accused in an accountability court in six weeks, directing for the trial to be concluded within six months.

It is the second time in Pakistan&#39;s 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister. In 2012 then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari.

Also no Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year elected term. Most tenures have been cut short by military coups.

While serving as the country&#39;s Prime Minister in 1993, Sharif was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.&nbsp;

Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif's ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is set to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister following Nawaz Sharif's disqualification. According to media reports, Abbasi's name was agreed upon in the meeting of the PML-N's advisory meeting by all members on Saturday. The final nomination will be recognised in the party's parliamentary meeting. After the interim prime minister is elected, a new cabinet will be formed. Abbasi previously served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources in the third Sharif's ministry from 2013 to 2017 and briefly held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Commerce and Ministry of Defence Production in the Gillani ministry in 2008. Abbasi is an elected member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 1988, representing Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, the party has announced Punjab Chief Minister and Nawaz Sharif's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif as the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. Shehbaz will steer the country until the next general elections scheduled for 2018. Yesterday, the Supreme Court five-judge larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa unanimously announced the Panamagate verdict leading to Sharif's disqualification. The apex court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file a reference against the accused in an accountability court in six weeks, directing for the trial to be concluded within six months. It is the second time in Pakistan's 70-year history that the Supreme Court has disqualified a sitting prime minister. In 2012 then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to reopen a corruption case against the sitting president Asif Ali Zardari. Also no Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year elected term. Most tenures have been cut short by military coups. While serving as the country's Prime Minister in 1993, Sharif was sacked by the then-president over graft allegations, while in 1999 he was ousted in a military coup.

Pakistan: PML-N to nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim PM

Another elected prime minister has been &quot;sent home&quot;, Nawaz Sharif&#39;s daughter Maryam said today but asserted that her father&#39;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: &quot;Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif&#39;s resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Insha&#39;Allah. Rok sakte ho to rok lo (Stop him, if you can)!&quot;

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Today will pave the way for Nawaz Sharif&#39;s resounding victory in 2018. He will be unstoppable. Insha&#39;Allah. Rok sakte ho to rok lo !
&mdash; Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/890874550984069120">July 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Maryam, 43, is seen by many as a political heir to the veteran politician and three-time premier of Pakistan. 
She has vigorously defended Sharif during the probe.

The Panam papers scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in the 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&#39;s two sons and daughter, Maryam.

&quot;Another elected prime minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force and support and soonest Insha&#39;Allah,&quot; she said in another tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force &amp; support &amp; soonest Insha&#39;Allah. Stay strong PMLN.
&mdash; Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/890867636296441857">July 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The apex court verdict in the Panama Papers scandal came as a setback for Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), threatening a revolt within the ruling party.

But Maryam said: &quot;PML-N stands united, more resolute and unfazed. That&#39;s also unprecedented.&quot;

When a follower tweeted her that the supporters of Sharif were disappointed, Maryam wrote back: &quot;Kion ghum main hain (Why are they sad)? Not the first time your leader had to face ouster and trial. Every such act has made him stronger. History bears witness.&quot;

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Kion ghum main hain? Not the first time your leader had to face ouster &amp; trial. Every such act has made him stronger. History bears witness. <a href="https://t.co/aWAG5LnDi1">https://t.co/aWAG5LnDi1</a>
&mdash; Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/890880569449603072">July 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

'Another elected prime minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force and support and soonest Insha'Allah,' she said in a tweet

Another elected prime minister has been "sent home", Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam said today 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)!" 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 × Maryam, 43, is seen by many as a political heir to the veteran politician and three-time premier of Pakistan. She has vigorously defended Sharif during the probe. The Panam papers scandal is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in the 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 two sons and daughter, Maryam. "Another elected prime minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force and support and soonest Insha'Allah," she said in another tweet. Another elected Prime Minister sent home, but only to see him return with greater force & support & soonest Insha'Allah. Stay strong PMLN. — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 28, 2017 × The apex court verdict in the Panama Papers scandal came as a setback for Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), threatening a revolt within the ruling party. But Maryam said: "PML-N stands united, more resolute and unfazed. That's also unprecedented." When a follower tweeted her that the supporters of Sharif were disappointed, Maryam wrote back: "Kion ghum main hain (Why are they sad)? Not the first time your leader had to face ouster and trial. Every such act has made him stronger. History bears witness." Kion ghum main hain? Not the first time your leader had to face ouster & trial. Every such act has made him stronger. History bears witness. https://t.co/aWAG5LnDi1 — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 28, 2017 ×

Maryam Nawaz Sharif on father's disqualification: Another elected PM 'sent home' in Pakistan

Pakistan&#39;s Opposition Tehreek-e- Insaf party on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court&#39;s unanimous decision to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, describing it an end to &quot;godfather&#39;s rule&quot;.

Other Opposition party politicians also gave all the credit to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan for the legal victory.

The top court had taken up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Imran&#39;s party, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

&quot;Godfather&#39;s rule has ended for good! Truth &amp; Justice have prevailed!,&quot; the party tweeted.

&quot;Godfather&#39;s ally, the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has been disqualified in Panamagate Case!,&quot; it added.

The party&#39;s vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi while addressing the press soon after the judgement, said: &quot;It?s a historic day, let&#39;s strengthen Pakistan, let&#39;s get rid of terrorism from the country.

&quot;Let us take this moment to express gratitude to the armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies. We should also thank the JIT members for not succumbing to the enormous pressure and serving the cause of justice,&quot; he added.

Pakistan People&#39;s Party leader Zaman Kaira praised Imran fro taking the case to the court.

&quot;The judgement came it was expected. It was on the cards for long. 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.&quot;

JI&#39;s Siraj ul Haq congratulated the apex court, journalists, lawyers and political workers.

Sharif today resigned as Pakistan Prime Minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.

Sharif today resigned as Pakistan Prime Minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal

Pakistan's Opposition Tehreek-e- Insaf party on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, describing it an end to "godfather's rule". Other Opposition party politicians also gave all the credit to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan for the legal victory. The top court had taken up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Imran's party, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). "Godfather's rule has ended for good! Truth & Justice have prevailed!," the party tweeted. "Godfather's ally, the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has been disqualified in Panamagate Case!," it added. The party's 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. "Let us take this moment to express gratitude to the armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies. We should also thank the JIT members for not succumbing to the enormous pressure and serving the cause of justice," he added. Pakistan People's Party leader Zaman Kaira praised Imran fro taking the case to the court. "The judgement came it was expected. It was on the cards for long. 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." JI's Siraj ul Haq congratulated the apex court, journalists, lawyers and political workers. Sharif today resigned as Pakistan Prime Minister after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office and ruled that graft cases be filed against the beleaguered leader and his children over the Panama Papers scandal.

Pakistan: Tehreek-e- Insaf party celebrates Nawaz Sharif's dismissal, calls it end to 'godfather's rule'

Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to be made Prime Minister after his brother Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers scandal, according to a media report.

After a consultative session of the ruling PML-N, Shehbaz has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served the 45-day period, Geo News reported.

Shehbaz, 65, is currently serving as the chief minister of Punjab.

Sharif met with senior party leaders after being disqualified by the Supreme Court verdict following culmination of the Panama Papers case.

After chairing the meeting as president of his party, Nawaz recommended his own brother to be his replacement as the prime minister of Pakistan, the report said.

A name has not been announced for the interim prime minister, who will fill the 45 day vacuum until Shehbaz is elected to a National Assembly seat, it said.

Names of Rana Sanaullah and Hamza Shehbaz are being touted as contenders for the post of Punjab chief minister, the report said.

Nawaz Sharif, who resigned from his post after the top court disqualified him, was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that he wished to see his brother Shehbaz appointed the next prime minister.

In a meeting with his confidants, Nawaz said though the final decision on who should be appointed the next prime minister would be made in a parliamentary meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he hoped that Shehbaz would be chosen for the post, the report said.

Nawaz Sharif recommended his own brother to be his replacement as the prime minister of Pakistan, a report said

Pakistan's Punjab province Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to be made Prime Minister after his brother Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court over the Panama Papers scandal, according to a media report. After a consultative session of the ruling PML-N, Shehbaz has emerged as the most likely candidate to be the next prime minister of Pakistan after an interim premier has served the 45-day period, Geo News reported. Shehbaz, 65, is currently serving as the chief minister of Punjab. Sharif met with senior party leaders after being disqualified by the Supreme Court verdict following culmination of the Panama Papers case. After chairing the meeting as president of his party, Nawaz recommended his own brother to be his replacement as the prime minister of Pakistan, the report said. A name has not been announced for the interim prime minister, who will fill the 45 day vacuum until Shehbaz is elected to a National Assembly seat, it said. Names of Rana Sanaullah and Hamza Shehbaz are being touted as contenders for the post of Punjab chief minister, the report said. Nawaz Sharif, who resigned from his post after the top court disqualified him, was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that he wished to see his brother Shehbaz appointed the next prime minister. In a meeting with his confidants, Nawaz said though the final decision on who should be appointed the next prime minister would be made in a parliamentary meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he hoped that Shehbaz would be chosen for the post, the report said.

Shehbaz Sharif likely to succeed brother Nawaz as Pakistan PM: Report

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