A High Court in Pakistan has granted bail to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in corruption cases until October 26, according to his lawyer. Sharif, who was convicted on corruption charges in two cases after his removal from office in 2017, recently returned to Pakistan after four years in self-exile in London. He has promised to focus on revitalizing the country’s struggling economy, which is currently facing a record inflation rate of over 30%.
The Islamabad High Court has extended protective bail for Sharif after prosecutors from the anti-graft agency indicated that they had no objection to the extension, as long as he appeared for the trial. Sharif’s lawyer, Azam Nazeer Tarar, confirmed this. The former Prime Minister had not set foot in Pakistan since departing for London in 2019 to receive medical treatment while serving a 14-year prison sentence for corruption. Although his convictions still stand, a court ruling on Thursday prohibited authorities from arresting him until his court appearance on Tuesday.
In addition, the court has granted permission for Sharif to pursue appeals against his convictions. While he is barred from running for or holding public office due to his convictions, his legal team believes that the appeals process could ultimately lead to the overturning of these convictions.
Sharif’s political party has expressed its intention for him to become Prime Minister for a fourth time. However, his main rival, former Premier Imran Khan, still holds significant popularity even while in jail, following his removal from the premiership in 2022. Khan is also disqualified from running in the election due to his conviction on graft charges in August, which he is currently appealing.
Reporting by Asif Shahzad, editing by Ed Osmond and Emelia Sithole-Matarise
