Nawaz Sharif's Stunning Acquittal in Corruption Case Paves the Way for Political Comeback

In a significant development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has acquitted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), in the Al-Azizia Steel Mill corruption case. Sharif, who was sentenced to seven years in jail and fined heavily by an anti-corruption court in 2018, has now been exonerated in all three cases against him. The Al-Azizia Steel Mill case revolved around allegations that Sharif had been involved in corruption regarding the establishment of the mill by his father in Saudi Arabia in 2001.

However, during the hearing, Sharif's lawyer argued that no evidence had been presented against his client and that the burden of proof cannot be transferred onto the accused. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the national accountability watchdog, had challenged Sharif's acquittal in the Flagship corruption case in the IHC. However, the court rejected the request to send the case back for re-trial. The acquittal by the IHC marks a major legal victory for Sharif and removes a significant hurdle in his path to leading his party in upcoming elections.

Sharif, who had been living in exile in Saudi Arabia when the mill was established, returned to Pakistan in October 2023 to lead his party in the upcoming elections. His political career faced obstacles when he was disqualified by the Supreme Court in 2017 following a conflict with the military establishment. Despite his disqualification from holding public office, amendments made to the Elections Act earlier this year now limit the disqualification of lawmakers to five years. With these recent developments, Sharif's appeal for a record fourth term as premier gains momentum.

His acquittals in all three cases signal a change in his fortunes and a potential resurgence in his political career. However, it is important to note that he still remains disqualified from holding public office by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case. The Supreme Court has also decided to form a larger bench to determine whether disqualified candidates can contest elections in light of the amendments in the Elections Act. This decision has far-reaching implications for not only Sharif but also other politicians who have faced disqualification from holding public office.

As Pakistan navigates through a complex political landscape, the acquittal of Sharif in the Al-Azizia Steel Mill corruption case sets the stage for an interesting political showdown in the upcoming elections. The decision by the IHC marks a significant turning point in Sharif's legal battles and will have far-reaching consequences for the country's political landscape.