Islamabad, In a significant turn of events, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, has been acquitted in a corruption case by a Pakistan court. This development clears a major hurdle for Sharif, opening the possibility of his participation in the upcoming general elections in February.
Nawaz Sharif, a three-times prime minister, returned to Pakistan in October after spending four years in self-imposed exile in London. His return marked a strategic move ahead of the upcoming elections.
The acquittal in the corruption case is a crucial step for Sharif, who aspires for the prime ministerial post for the fourth time. To be eligible, he also needs acquittal in the 1999 steel mills case, against which he has appealed, and the removal of a lifelong ban on holding any public office.
Pakistani law prohibits individuals with convictions from holding or running for public office, making these legal milestones critical for Sharif’s political ambitions.
The Islamabad High Court delivered the verdict after the national anti-graft body did not contest Sharif’s appeal for acquittal. Sharif, present in court, expressed gratitude for the decision.
Nawaz Sharif has consistently denied any wrongdoing, attributing the charges to political motivations. He claims to have been ousted from government due to a falling out with top military officials, an accusation refuted by the military.
Having stepped down in 2017 over graft charges, Sharif faced convictions in 2018 related to luxury apartments in London. These led to a 10-year sentence, followed by another seven years in the steel mills case.
The former prime minister’s disqualification from politics, resulting from these convictions, is expected to be reconsidered post-acquittal, positioning him as a formidable contender in the February 8 general elections.
As the political landscape in Pakistan undergoes shifts, Nawaz Sharif’s potential return to active politics adds a significant dimension to the unfolding narrative.
