Pakistanis Divided Over Supreme Court’s Lifelong Ban On Nawaz Sharif And Jahangir Tareen

In what can only be termed as a historic verdict, the five member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan barred former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and PTI member, Jahangir Tareen from holding public office. Many had expected the Supreme Court to ban these political leaders from holding public office for a specific period of time. However, contrary to speculation, the country’s highest court came out strong against the disgraced politicians, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen.

Read: Politicians Attacked With Ink And Shoes Before Nawaz Sharif And Khawaja Asif

Justice Umar Ata Bandial while reading the verdict, stated that the lifelong disqualification was neither arbitrary nor unjust nor unreasonable.

As per the verdict both Sharif and Tareen can neither contest elections again nor hold any public office.

Read: After #MujheKyunNikala, Nawaz Sharif Gives Pakistan #TumheyKya To Laugh About

Within minutes of the verdict, Pakistani social media was abuzz with the news and of the Top 10 trends (on Pakistani Twitter), were a direct reference to the verdict.

As the trends show, Pakistan seems divided between opponents and proponents of the verdict.

Those protesting the verdict are tweeting under the hashtag, #YouCanNeverMinusNawaz.

Since last 10 months you are trying to minus Nawaz But people of Pakistan have rejecting your decision again n again and they will never let you minus Nawaz #YouCanNeverMinusNawaz

— Hamza Rizwan (@HamzaaRizwan11) April 13, 2018

Those who talked about Minus Nawaz Sharif did not know “Nawaz is name of an Ideology
The more they try to Minus Nawaz Sharif, the More People Multiplying their votes in Support of him#YouCanNeverMinusNawaz pic.twitter.com/qvWO47eoDM

— Aniha Anam Chaudhary (@anihachaudhry) April 13, 2018

I am Nawaz Sharif#YouCanNeverMinusNawaz pic.twitter.com/ehwjzMVkc9

— Zeeshan Malik (@ZeshanMalick) April 13, 2018

Some feel that the verdict is undemocratic and will have to be reversed at some point in time.

https://twitter.com/MuhammadNSharif/status/984723370536251395

Others feel the court has given a democratic verdict that will strengthen the state, the rule of law and discourage corruption.

Job of any court or judge is not to decide the fate of a criminal based on his popularity but the evidence they have on their table. #SupremeCourt is making history and this accountability should not stop now and should be exapended to judges, generals too. #Article62

— Shahid Rehan (@SShahidrehan) April 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/naginakhanPTI/status/984723964642627584

Those who are supporting the verdict are in a jubilant mood and offering thanks to Allah.

https://twitter.com/realBushraKhan/status/984701121020289024

https://twitter.com/hamida_pti/status/984721178794299392

Interestingly, most of the criticism is directed towards Nawaz Sharif and no one seems to be bothered about Jahangir Tareen. Many Twitterati are cracking jokes at the expense of the former Prime Minister.

Read: Everything You Need To Know About Sadiq Sanjrani – The New Chairman Senate

When the number of times Nawaz Sharif got disqualified is actually higher than the number of times he qualified for the seat! 😌#Article62

— Qandeel (@49shadesofcray) April 13, 2018

Hence, proved that this was the most useless celebration of this century.😂#NawazSharif #Article62 pic.twitter.com/lPfNbK8ZVO

— Ali Hasham (@ScarfaceBhai) April 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/faisaltanoli59/status/984707533456793600

All said and done, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has spoken and whether one likes it or not, Mian Nawaz Sharif cannot contest the upcoming general elections. It would serve PML-N better to strategize a way forward for the upcoming polls and ensure that Sharif’s ouster from the race does not derail their entire political campaign.