The Supreme Court of Pakistan has disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the Panama Paper case. Sharif has bowed out. Last year The International Consortium of Investigative Journalist had leaked documents on the case. It appears that Sharif’s children may own at least 3 offshore companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. Sharifs were alleged to own assets which were disproportionate to their income. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probed the matter and concluded that Sharif could not clarify the financial irregularity. The Supreme Court has accordingly delivered its judgement. The PML-N led by Nawaz Sharif commands a substantial majority in the National Assembly and the civilian government may not fall. Elections in Pakistan are only a year away. Sharif’s ouster may change the political contours of the country plagued by terror and riddled with corruption.
It is a fact that the judiciary has cracked down on Sharif’s corruption but the canker in other sectors in Pakistani society goes unnoticed. The upshot of Sharif’s ouster will be the strengthening of the army and the ISI. The political Opposition is insignificant. The civilian government in Pakistan has now sustained a blow. India- Pakistan relations are already on shaky grounds with the Pak Army calling the shots. This crisis is cause for concern in New Delhi.
