Nawaz Sharif's 'homecoming rally' enters Lahore
The ex-PM took GT Road for his Lahore arrival and stopped at Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala
LAHORE (Web Desk) - Former PM Nawaz Sharif has reached the last stop of his GT Road ‘homecoming rally’ after stopping at Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujrat and Gujranwala.
He addressed the local crowds along with the loyalist ministers and supporters. Before his entry in Lahore, local police department beefed up security in the provincial capital. Four SPs, 20 DSPs, 70 inspectors and over 2,000 wardens would perform duties on the occasion.
It was reported at around 1700 hrs that Nawaz Sharif and his convoy arrived near Kala Shah Kaku where he was greeted by showering flower petals. Strict security arrangements have been made for his welcome.
Addressing the participants of the rally in Muridke, Nawaz Sharif thanked them for their love and asked them whether they accept the SC verdict of disqualifying him. He said that you sent me to Islamabad to plan prosperity projects but five judges ousted me. He also asked for the support of his party workers in this struggle and vowed to not deceive or betray them. He said he always worked for the respect and development of the country, clarifying that he does not accept this insult.
Former PM said the mandate of the people has never been respected for the past 70 years. Shortly after his speech, Nawaz Sharif once again left for Lahore via Grand Trunk Road where passionate Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers have gathered to express solidarity and love for their ousted leader whereas camps have also been formed all along the way in Kala Shah Kaku and Ferozwala.
The supporters have displayed banners, flexes, party flags and posters on the route while strict security arrangements have been ensured by deploying officers. The metropolis will be monitored by helicopters. The road from Azadi Chowk to Data Darbar has been sealed by placing containers due to which the locals are facing immense difficulties.
The passionate Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers gathered in the provincial capital to express solidarity and love for their ousted leader whereas camps have also been formed all along the way in Kamoke, Sadhoki, Muridke, Kala Shah Kaku and Ferozwala. Earlier, they stopped to showcase power in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujrat and Gujranwala.
Panamagate verdict
On April 20, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa had announced Panama Leaks case decision comprising of 540 pages, saying that the court issued a split ruling calling for a JIT. Two of the five judges went further, branding Sharif "dishonest" and saying he should be disqualified, but they were outnumbered.
The court formed a six-member inquiry team that included Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Additional Director General Wajid Zia, Military Intelligence’s Brig Kamran Khurshid, National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Director Irfan Naeem Mangi, State Bank of Pakistan’s Amer Aziz, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) Executive Director Bilal Rasool and Inter-Services Intelligence’s Brig Muhammad Nauman Saeed.
The JIT members during the seven-week period interrogated eight members of Sharif family including Nawaz Sharif, his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, daughter Maryam Nawaz, son-in-law Captain Safdar, cousin Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and brother-in-law Ishaq Dar and submitted its report on July 10.
On July 29, the five-judge larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan after a week-long hearings unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif.
"It is hereby declared that having failed to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from Capital FZE Jebel Ali, UAE in his nomination papers filed for the General Elections held in 2013 in terms of Section 12(2)(f) of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (ROPA), and having furnished a false declaration under solemn affirmation respondent No. 1 Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is not honest in terms of Section 99(f) of ROPA and Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and therefore he is disqualified to be a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)."
The fresh PM for Pakistan
On August 2, President Mamnoon Hussain had administered oath to Shahid Khaqan Abbasi after he was elected as the leader of the House in National Assembly (NA) for 45 days by securing 221 votes.
On August 4, a 43-member new cabinet that included 27 federal and 16 state ministers took oath in a ceremony at Prime Minister House.
"Panama Papers" Fallout
Panama Papers had published a leak of documents belonging to Mossack Fonseca, a law firm in April 2016 creating uproar in Pakistan among other countries. The leak was studied by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and stated names of incumbent as well as former leaders of the world who owned shell companies.
Opposition parties in Pakistan saw offshore companies as proof of money laundering done by Sharif family. Questions over the source of money used to purchase flats in London’s posh Mayfair locality by Sharif family were raised.
The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami.
