Current:Home > NewsCourt overturns conviction of former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif ahead of parliamentary election -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Court overturns conviction of former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif ahead of parliamentary election
Rekubit View
Date:2025-03-11 10:07:14
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Pakistani court overturned Tuesday the 2018 conviction of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a graft case, clearing his path to run in the parliamentary election set to be held in February.
The Islamabad High Court announced its verdict after Sharif filed his appeal in October. Courts in Pakistan usually take much longer to issue such rulings. The same court acquitted Sharif in another graft case on Nov. 29.
Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League party welcomed the verdict, saying the country’s three-time former premier was exonerated and could run in the coming election.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, Sharif’s spokesperson, hailed the court ruling, saying: “Today, the reality of these fake and false cases has come to light in front of the public.”
In 2018, an anti-graft tribunal sentenced Sharif to seven years and 10 years in prison in two cases filed against him, after he stepped down as prime minister. He returned to Pakistan in October, after four years of self-exile abroad.
Currently, Sharif’s political future seems more secure than that of his rival and opponent Imran Khan, who is serving a three-year sentence for corruption in a jail on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. Khan has multiple charges filed against him.
Khan succeeded Sharif as prime minister in the 2018 parliamentary election. The former popular cricket star-turned-politician was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022. He remains Pakistan’s leading opposition figure, and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party enjoys a large following.
veryGood! (5967)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Jonathan Scott makes fun of Drew Scott's lavish wedding, teases nuptials with Zooey Deschanel
- Lionel Messi debuts new drink Mas+: How to get Messi's new drink online and in stores
- Brittany Cartwright Details Horrible Insults Jax Taylor Called Her Before Breakup
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Evangeline Lilly says she's on an 'indefinite hiatus' from Hollywood: 'Living my dreams'
- Halsey Lucky to Be Alive Amid Health Battle
- Survey finds fifth of Germans would prefer more White players on their national soccer team
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Sarah Ferguson Shares Royal Family Update Amid Kate Middleton and King Charles III's Health Battles
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- NY man charged in sports betting scandal that led to Jontay Porter’s ban from NBA
- New Orleans plans to spiff up as host of next year’s Super Bowl
- Evangeline Lilly Reveals She Is “Stepping Away” From Acting For This Reason
- Small twin
- In new Hulu show 'Clipped,' Donald Sterling's L.A. Clippers scandal gets a 2024 lens: Review
- NYC couple finds safe containing almost $100,000 while magnet fishing in muddy Queens pond
- R&B superstar Chris Brown spends Saturday night at Peoria, Illinois bowling alley
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Ms. Rachel addresses backlash after wishing fans a 'Happy Pride'
American Idol Alum Mandisa's Cause of Death Revealed
In new Hulu show 'Clipped,' Donald Sterling's L.A. Clippers scandal gets a 2024 lens: Review
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
Maryland agencies must submit a plan to help fight climate change, governor says
Jayda Coleman's walk-off home run completes Oklahoma rally, sends Sooners to WCWS finals
'Boy Meets World' star Trina McGee reveals she's pregnant at age 54