Brother Shahabaz Sharif to become next Prime Minister; Timeline set for clearing corruption cases

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office over undeclared assets and ordered registration of corruption cases against him and his children, plunging the country into a political turmoil.

In an unprecedented judgment by five judges, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, the court also set a timeline for quick disposal of the corruption cases against the Sharifs under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge. Attorney-General Ashtar Ausaf said the disqualification is for life, ending any hope for the three-time Prime Minister to return to active politics.

“He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the Parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of Prime Minister,” Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said in court. The Election Commission issued a notification of his disqualification as member of Parliament and the Prime Minister announced his resignation.

Mr. Sharif quickly resigned but in a statement his spokesman said there were “serious reservations” about the judicial process. Mr. Sharif’s party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, said it would file a review in the Supreme Court.

Earlier, a Supreme Court-appointed joint investigation team had concluded that Mr. Sharif’s family had assets beyond known sources of income.

Historic, says Opposition

Opposition parties termed the verdict “historic” and “win for the people of Pakistan.” Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan, who filed the petition against Mr. Sharif in the Supreme Court, said the decision raised hopes for accountability of the corrupt who have stashed assets abroad. “Today is a victory day for Pakistan,” Mr. Khan said. “Today onward, big thieves will be caught.”

At an emergency meeting, the ruling party agreed to name Mr. Sharif’s brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as the next Prime Minister. An interim Prime Minister will be named for 45 days before Mr. Shahbaz Sharif gets elected to the National Assembly.

The court also sent the cases of Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his children to the National Accountability Bureau and directed their disposal within six months.

As the verdict was announced, Opposition supporters erupted in applause in Islamabad, rushing into the street chanting slogans and handing out sweets in celebration. But in Lahore, capital of Mr. Sharif’s power base Punjab province, sporadic protests broke out, with his supporters burning tyres on the road and blocking streets.