News Analysis |
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law, Capt.Safdar appeared in the accountability court on Wednesday as the trial resumes in relation to the corruption references filed against them by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as per orders of the Supreme Court’s Panama Verdict.
Flanked by various leaders of the PML-N, the trio appeared in the court despite the fact that they were exempted from appearing in person to the court hearings. In the last hearing, Judge Muhammad Bashir had given 1 month and 7-day exemptions to Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif, respectively.
Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif have filed yet another plea in the accountability court that wants a change in the exemption dates. Maryam has requested the exemption from hearings from 5th December to 5th January. The decision on the matter has not been given.
Chairman PTI, Imran Khan flayed all lawmakers for ratifying the leadership of Nawaz in the PML-N. He tweeted: “Today all PML-N members of the NA should hang their heads in shame for making a farce out of our democracy.
Thus far, 2 out of the 4 witnesses have appeared in the court. Abdul Rasheed appeared in the accountability court today. The NAB prosecutor and Sharifs’ counsel, Khawaja Harris got into an altercation. The prosecutor said that the witness is being confused while Harris said that the prosecutor is trying to put words in the witness’s mouth.
Read more: Nawaz Sharif appears in accountability court
The second witness, Mr.Bangash is being interrogated while two other witnesses will be presented today before the anti-graft court. Nawaz Sharif talked to the media after coming out of court. He said he doesn’t know when the final verdict would come.
The former lawmaker said that he is unhappy with the PPP as it has tried to support a dictator’s law. Taking a dig at PTI, he said he has no complaints because the party is not democratic and is famous for dancing on the tunes of the “hidden forces.”
Nawaz was given a fresh lease of life yesterday in the National Assembly as the Amendment in the Election Bill 2017 was rejected. PML-N and its allies overpowered a divided opposition and blocked the attempt to disqualify Nawaz as the head of the PML-N.
Read more: Dear Mr Nawaz Sharif: Masses are on the side of law
Nawaz’s legal worries are mounting but politically he still enjoys broad-based support within his party. Despite voices of dissent, the PML-N managed to keep the support for Nawaz intact. Analysts assert that though there are disgruntled members in the PML-N, they are still not finding anyone else to look up to. Moreover, they believe that lawmakers of the PML-N are also worried that if they go against Nawaz, they will get disqualified under Article 63.
While the supporters of Nawaz termed it as a victory for democratic forces, detractors were displeased at how the essentials of democracy were crushed by lawmakers loyal to Nawaz instead of democracy.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law, Capt.Safdar appeared in the accountability court on Wednesday.
Many have taken serious exceptions to the fact that punished and proclaimed deceivers are heading political parties. Chairman PTI, Imran Khan flayed all lawmakers for ratifying the leadership of Nawaz in the PML-N. He tweeted: “Today all PML-N members of the NA should hang their heads in shame for making a farce out of our democracy.
Read more: PTI challenges NA-120 by-elections results: More woes for Nawaz Sharif?
They opposed an amendment to the election law, simply to allow NS to remain as head of PML-N despite being disqualified from membership of Parliament under the Constitution.”Nawaz still has a fair degree of political influence.
Analysts point out, among other reasons, the feeble efforts of the opposition. Many were furious as to why Imran didn’t attend the session as it reflects that the opposition is not serious enough to challenge the government inside the assembly.