Former Pakistani prime minister Sharif freed ahead of corruption appeal

A PAKISTANI court yesterday ordered the release of Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister, and his daughter, suspending their prison sentences for corruption pending an appeal hearing.

“The Islamabad High Court has suspended the verdict against Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and his son-in-law Captain Safdar and ordered to release them on bail until a final decision,” said Khawaja Haris, Sharif ’s lawyer.

They would be released after the payment of sureties of 500,000 rupees (£3,000), he added. The anti-graft watchdog still has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court against the ruling.

It was not clear when the appeal would be heard. Dozens of supporters chanted “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif!” outside the court after the decision was announced.

Sharif was ousted from office last year by the Supreme Court for alleged corruption. In July he and his daughter were sentenced in absentia to 10 and seven years in prison, respectively, in connection with properties they allegedly owned in Britain, following revelations in the Panama Papers. Safdar received a one-year sentence for not cooperating with the investigation. Sharif and his daughter were arrested as they returned to Pakistan in July to campaign in elections.

“Today the court has suspended the decision that was based on revenge,” Ahsan Iqbal, a former minister, told reporters. “Even a blind person in Pakistan will see that there was neither law nor constitution in the decision and it was just pre-poll rigging to pave the way for Imran Khan to win elections.” Sharif claims he is being targeted by the country’s powerful security establishment. His Pakistan Muslim League party lost the election on July 25 to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf led by former cricketer Imran Khan.

Sharif ’s wife, Kulsoom, died in a London hospital earlier this month and he, his daughter and son-in-law were granted parole to attend her funeral.