3 Reasons Why the Panama Verdict is Historic

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Courtesy: Dunya News

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday, the 28th of July, 2017 disqualified Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif from holding public office. The verdict also declared the Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar and MNA Captain Safdar unfit to retain their offices.

The unanimous judgment will have a direct bearing on the future of Pakistan. Here is a list of 3 reasons that make the Panama papers case verdict historic.

3. First Prime Minister from Punjab to Have Been Disqualified

Provinces of Sindh, KPK and Balochistan in the country have often complained about unfair conduct from state institutions. Even when Yousaf Raza Gillani was disqualified his political party immediately began creating a perception that Gillani had only been sacked because he belonged to South Punjab and because he came from a political party that has its origins in Sindh.

However, since Nawaz Sharif’s fate despite being the president of Punjab’s mainstream political party has been no different from some of his predecessors, a gradual change in the aforesaid perception now seems inevitable.

2. Article 62 and 63 Come to Life

The articles 62 and 63 of the constitution are now alive and with the precedent set, have in them the strength to disqualify Pakistan’s future prime ministers in case they are unable to meet the required standards.

How the development should effect the country’s future is something we will have to wait and see.

1. A Certain Defeat for PML (N)

The unanimous verdict for sure is a victory for Imran Khan led Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) and a certain defeat with no ifs and buts for the ruling party i.e. Pakistan Muslim League (N). With the prime minister disqualified and with his children too not been able to receive a clean chit, the political party’s future seems bleak.

Still, only time will tell if PTI is able to grab the opportunity and whether or not PML (N) will be able to bounce back from a crisis that threatens to put them out of the race in the general elections next year.