Nawaz Sharif's rally leaves for Lahore after big show in Gujranwala
Nawaz Sharif has reached Muridke.
GUJRANWALA (Dunya News) – Ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted by Supreme Court (SC) under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution in Panama Leaks case, on Saturday has resumed his ‘homecoming rally’ towards Lahore via Grand Trunk Road after big show in Gujranwala.
The passionate Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers have 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.
Watch enthusiastic PML-N workers gather at GT road despite hot weather
Meanwhile, newly-appointed Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has arrived in Kamoke from Sialkot along with his convoy to unite with Nawaz’s rally.
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PML-N’s convoy led by Nawaz Sharif before leaving for Lahore
A big stage has been made at Shahdara Chowk where the former premier is likely to address while the last stop of the cavalcade will be Data Darbar where Nawaz Sharif will pay his visit.
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.
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.
