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Nawaz Sharif, Ousted Pakistani Leader, Is Indicted in Corruption Case Nawaz Sharif, Ousted Pakistani Leader, Is Indicted in Corruption Case
(about 11 hours later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan until he was forced from office over corruption allegations in July, was indicted Thursday along with two other family members on corruption charges. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan until he was forced from office over corruption allegations in July, was indicted on Thursday along with two other family members on corruption charges.
The charges stem from revelations contained in the Panama Papers that Sharif family members owned expensive residential properties in London that were not properly reported under Pakistani disclosure rules.The charges stem from revelations contained in the Panama Papers that Sharif family members owned expensive residential properties in London that were not properly reported under Pakistani disclosure rules.
Mr. Sharif’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who in recent months had become a senior leadership figure in the family’s political party, was also indicted, along with her husband, Muhammad Safdar. Two sons who were mentioned in the Panama Papers were not indicted.Mr. Sharif’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who in recent months had become a senior leadership figure in the family’s political party, was also indicted, along with her husband, Muhammad Safdar. Two sons who were mentioned in the Panama Papers were not indicted.
The criminal indictment, brought by an anticorruption court that took up the case on orders from the Supreme Court, is the latest blow to a politician who served three terms as prime minister and helped define the Pakistani political mainstream.The criminal indictment, brought by an anticorruption court that took up the case on orders from the Supreme Court, is the latest blow to a politician who served three terms as prime minister and helped define the Pakistani political mainstream.
Mr. Sharif’s latest stint in office began with a strong election showing in 2013, as he promised to take on the country’s all-powerful military establishment and moved to impose civilian authority in areas long run by the generals, including foreign policy.Mr. Sharif’s latest stint in office began with a strong election showing in 2013, as he promised to take on the country’s all-powerful military establishment and moved to impose civilian authority in areas long run by the generals, including foreign policy.
But long before he was forced out by the Supreme Court, the military had the upper hand yet again. And the judiciary’s actions against him and his family were widely seen as being supported by the army’s top ranks. Military officials have denied those accusations.But long before he was forced out by the Supreme Court, the military had the upper hand yet again. And the judiciary’s actions against him and his family were widely seen as being supported by the army’s top ranks. Military officials have denied those accusations.
While some Pakistani politicians have hailed the court rulings as bold moves to fight corruption and impunity for the powerful, Mr. Sharif’s supporters insist that the judiciary was overstepping its role and was carrying out a political vendetta on behalf of the military and Mr. Sharif’s rivals.While some Pakistani politicians have hailed the court rulings as bold moves to fight corruption and impunity for the powerful, Mr. Sharif’s supporters insist that the judiciary was overstepping its role and was carrying out a political vendetta on behalf of the military and Mr. Sharif’s rivals.
The Panama Papers, documents leaked from a Panamanian law firm that catered to the world’s wealthy and powerful, revealed that three of Mr. Sharif’s children controlled shell companies through which they owned expensive residential properties in London. The revelations set off political turmoil and ultimately led the Supreme Court to disqualify him from office and order a criminal investigation into his behavior.The Panama Papers, documents leaked from a Panamanian law firm that catered to the world’s wealthy and powerful, revealed that three of Mr. Sharif’s children controlled shell companies through which they owned expensive residential properties in London. The revelations set off political turmoil and ultimately led the Supreme Court to disqualify him from office and order a criminal investigation into his behavior.
The Supreme Court had faulted the Sharif family for failing to provide documentation of the money they used to buy their London apartments. Investigators found that they were “living beyond their means,” and several of the documents they produced were declared fake or insufficient.The Supreme Court had faulted the Sharif family for failing to provide documentation of the money they used to buy their London apartments. Investigators found that they were “living beyond their means,” and several of the documents they produced were declared fake or insufficient.
Mr. Sharif was in London when he was indicted, visiting his wife, who is undergoing medical treatment, his aides said.Mr. Sharif was in London when he was indicted, visiting his wife, who is undergoing medical treatment, his aides said.
After the original court ruling disqualifying him from holding a seat in Parliament, Mr. Sharif went to Lahore, his hometown. Upon his arrival, his vehicle was swarmed by thousands of supporters, in a show of continuing political support for the Sharif family and their political party, PML-N.After the original court ruling disqualifying him from holding a seat in Parliament, Mr. Sharif went to Lahore, his hometown. Upon his arrival, his vehicle was swarmed by thousands of supporters, in a show of continuing political support for the Sharif family and their political party, PML-N.
Mr. Safdar, Mr. Sharif’s son-in-law, was arrested earlier this month at Islamabad’s main airport as he and Maryam Sharif were returning to Pakistan. He was released on bail after the couple appeared before an anticorruption court. Mr. Safdar, Mr. Sharif’s son-in-law, was arrested this month at Islamabad’s main airport as he and Maryam Sharif were returning to Pakistan. He was released on bail after the couple appeared before an anticorruption court.
Speaking to reporters later, Maryam Sharif said she had “strongest reservations” over the court cases against her family but still decided to appear before the court.Speaking to reporters later, Maryam Sharif said she had “strongest reservations” over the court cases against her family but still decided to appear before the court.
“We are not the ones to be afraid of arrests,” she said.“We are not the ones to be afraid of arrests,” she said.
The criminal proceedings in the court will add to the pressure on Mr. Sharif, who has remained determined to fight a political battle since his ouster.
This month, he was re-elected as president of PML-N after the party passed a bill that allows a person disqualified from serving in Parliament to hold a party office. Opponents denounced the move as undemocratic, but supporters said it signaled Mr. Sharif’s popularity and hold over the party.
There are some signs of strain within PML-N, however.
Hours after the indictment on Thursday, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, a cabinet member, held a news conference in which he urged Mr. Sharif to hand over the party leadership to his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, who is chief minister of Punjab Province.
Nawaz Sharif told reporters in London that he would return to Pakistan and appear before the court in the next hearing, scheduled for Oct. 26.