News Analysis |
The accountability court on Wednesday rejected an application filed by the ousted premier, Nawaz Sharif that called for lumping together the three graft references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The anti-graft court while rejecting the plea, indicted Sharif separately in the three references. The 67-year old plead “not guilty” to all the charges.The former Prime Minister was indicted after being called to the rostrum by the judge.
Read more: Supreme Court issues the detailed verdict of review petition; refuses to give…
Sharif contended the six-month deadline given by the Supreme Court for wrapping up references may lead to hasty proceedings. However, the Judge retorted and said that the graft references can conclude in the given time frame without clubbing them.
Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, who believes in working along with all organs of the state, has reportedly warned his brother against a tussle with the institutions.
On Tuesday, the court had reserved the decision on the application. Analysts and experts are of the opinion that the request to club the references were made in the hope of delaying conviction till next year’s elections.
Therefore, the rejection has apparently dealt a severe blow to Sharifs’ dilatory tactics. Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Harris on Tuesday had alluded to the possibility of Sharifs being indicted once again if the references are clubbed. Apparently, this was yet another futile effort to stall and drag the process of accountability.
Understandably so, Sharif was not pleased with Supreme Court’s detailed verdict or the rejection of his application in the accountability court. While talking to reporters outside the court, Sharif said he knew that the verdict would be against him.
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Commenting on the scathing remarks given by the Supreme Court in its Tuesday’s verdict, Sharif said: “These judges are full of the grudge… their grudge and anger has come out in words.”
Sharif has ratcheted up the narrative that his disqualification was part of a conspiracy to derail democracy. He repeated the very thoughts today. “This grudge, anger and words will become a dark chapter of history.” He said that the judiciary has inked many dark chapters throughout the country’s history, adding that this decision is one of them.
On Wednesday the accountability court rejected an application filed by the ousted premier, Nawaz Sharif that called for the lumping together of the three graft references filed by the (NAB).
Experts and observers are mindful of the fact that Nawaz finds himself in dire straits as his legal options have dried up. According to many, Sharif’s strategy to extricate himself is very risky and dangerous. Besides, his seemingly confrontational style is finding little support from within his family and party.
Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, who believes in working along with all organs of the state, has reportedly warned his brother against a tussle with the institutions. Well-placed sources in the PML-N said that Nawaz Sharif strongly rejected the suggestion of his younger brother.
With Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz whipping up the vitriol against the judiciary, it is unreasonable to expect that a softer approach will be adopted by the Sharifs. Spokesman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf while saying that Nawaz is a gone case now, contended that the senior leadership of the PML-N has started to distance itself from Nawaz Sharif.
Read more: PML (N) meeting called in order to allay rift rumours
It will be interesting to see how the PML-N conducts itself. Will it act as a ruling party and expedite the process of accountability or continue to remain under the wings of the tainted Sharif family?