Editorial comment: Sharif’s ouster a positive indicator

Verdict against Pakistan’s most powerful political family is the beginning of an era of true accountability

With the apex court disqualifying Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from his post in the much awaited verdict in the ‘Panamagate’ case, July 28 became a historic day for politics and the judiciary in Pakistan. Though it is not the first time that a sitting prime minister of Pakistan has been disqualified, the unanimous decision by the fivejudge bench of the Supreme Court makes the verdict very significant. Sharif has not only been removed as a prime minister, but has also been banned from politics for the rest of his life.

Further, it is the first time that the court has also ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to register reference cases against Sharif and his family members, including his daughter Maryam Nawaz, his sons Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz and his son-in-law Captain (rtd) Safdar. The NAB has been given deadline of six months to complete the proceedings for further action.

It is unprecedented that a sitting prime minister and his family have been required to explain the sources of their income and wealth in a country where politicians and top officials live beyond their means. Court says that Sharif and his family members have failed to account for their assets. It is now evident that the verdict against the most powerful political family in Pakistan is the beginning of a new era of ‘real’ accountability. The court should not stop here and bring all politicians and those holding public and official offices to task. Pakistani people deserve to have a more transparent and accountable leadership to run the country.

It is very unfortunate for the people of Pakistan that none of their country’s prime ministers has ever completed a five-year term. But this verdict will go a long way to strengthen democratic norms in the country and pave the way for honest politicians and officials to run the state. Sharif has also responded wisely by announcing to step down even before the Election Commission issued a notification to remove him from his post, following the court verdict.

It is important that his party supporters show restraint and accept the decision of the apex court by not putting their personal interests above those of the nation’s because unrest in the country can lead to anarchy and hinder development projects, besides negatively impacting the country’s fight against terrorism.

Instead of celebrating the removal of Sharif, the opposition political parties should also do their self-accountability.