World | Pakistan
Pakistani prosecutors pursue cases against Nawaz Sharif
Pakistani prosecutors said on Tuesday that they are pressing ahead with corruption cases against opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, a move his lawyer called politically motivated as the presidential race grew increasingly testy.
- Agencies
- Published: 16:56 September 2, 2008
Islamabad: Pakistani prosecutors said on Tuesday that they are pressing ahead with corruption cases against opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, a move his lawyer called politically motivated as the presidential race grew increasingly testy.
Asif Ali Zardari, head of the main ruling party and widower of slain ex-Premier Benazir Bhutto, is expected to easily capture enough lawmakers' votes on Saturday. Sharif's party is fielding a retired judge as its candidate.
The election and surrounding political maneuvering are being watched carefully by the US, which considers Pakistan's cooperation critical in the war on terror.
In mid-August, longtime US ally Pervez Musharraf was forced to quit the presidency by a ruling coalition that included Sharif's party. Sharif switched to the opposition after disputes with Zardari over who should succeed Musharraf and how to restore judges the former president sacked last year.
Both Zardari and Sharif have been saddled with corruption allegations over the years, but Zardari has seen cases against him vanish in recent months, thanks in large part to a deal struck with Musharraf to pave the way for Bhutto's return to the country.
Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, a top prosecutor with the National Accountability Bureau, confirmed Tuesday that it moved late last month to challenge a court decision to indefinitely adjourn a set of cases against Sharif, also a former prime minister.
The cases stretch back years, and their accusations against Sharif include money laundering, loan defaults and accumulation of wealth beyond his known sources of income.
"It appears to be aimed at using the accountability courts against Nawaz Sharif," said the opposition leader's lawyer, Khwaja Haris. "It appears to be used for political ends."
Sharif aide Ahsan Iqbal said pursuing the cases smacked of "political bankruptcy."
"Sometimes, if you cannot get things done politically, then you try to blackmail the opposition," he told Dawn News TV. "I would still hope that the ruling party would
refrain from such tactics."
Asked about the cases, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said Zardari's party "will not pursue the politics of revenge."
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, also of Zardari's party, said the accountability bureau, which the new government has vowed to reform, "has no value."
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
A year after 173 defenceless people were killed
Mumbai itself is far from safe from another deadly attack, even though the level of security consciousness of the average Mumbaikar has been raised since 26/11
-
Nato supports Obama's plea
European and other allies to send around 6,000 troops to Afghanistan
-
Official confirms mayor is the suspect
Many witnesses have come forward, justice secretary says
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life
