Dubai: Pakistani expatriates in the UAE have hailed the Pakistan Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify Nawaz Sharif as the country’s prime minister on corruption charges as a bold and right step.
On Friday, Pakistan’s highest court gave out a landmark judgement against Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members after month-long trial following last year’s Panama Paper leaks that had linked the former premier with several offshore assets.
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The Panama leaks had led to an uproar in the country with the opposition parties demanding Sharif’s resignation over the last several months, which led to the Supreme Court intervention.
Speaking to Gulf News, several Pakistani expats said that the judgement sends a strong message to all politicians that there is growing intolerance for corruption in the country and the judiciary is bold enough to hold everyone accountable.
Bold, strong decision
“This is the first time the Supreme Court of Pakistan has given a bold and strong decision against a serving Prime Minister and his party, which is currently the strongest party in the country.
"The fact that the serving Prime Minister has been disqualified for lifetime and all his children are also barred from the public office serves as a warning for all future prime ministers and politicians that there is no tolerance for corruption in the country,” said Tahir Muneer, a freelance journalist based in Dubai.
He added that the decision reflects that the judiciary is independent and impartial in giving out decisions against all, whether they are powerful or weak.
“This is a great decision, based on clear evidence and people are happy about this outcome. I believe this decision will have a positive impact on the future politics of the country and those holding public offices will start thinking more about accountability and good governance,” he added.
Much-awaited decision
Another Pakistani expat Hannan Haq also welcomed the decision.
“This is a much-awaited decision that has finally arrived. In my opinion it will set the precedent in terms of having accountability of all those holding public office and will give common people a new ray of hope. Most people have welcomed this decision and are happy that the justice has prevailed and the phrase ‘equality before the law’ is still alive,” said Haq, who is a Sharjah-based architect.
While celebrating the decision, a Dubai-based member of one of Pakistan’s opposition parties has hoped that this decision will set a precedent for punishing more corrupt politicians.
Landmark decision
“Those who have looted our country should not go unpunished. We welcome this landmark decision, but mere disqualification doesn’t serve the purpose," Shahid Khan, General Secretary of Pakistan Tehri-ke Insaf, a political party led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan
"All those who have a proven track record of corruption should be punished,” said Khan.
He added that now is the time to cleanse the country’s political scene of all corruption and elect leaders who are clean.
“This is a moment of pride and a morale-boosting decision for common people. It shows that there is still hope and the fight against corruption is going strong. I hope that people will give politicians with a clean track record a chance to lead,” he added.
