In
yet another fall of wicket for Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz group, Hanif
Abbasi, PMLN candidate contesting election from constituency NA - 60, against
the veteran Sheikh Rashid, has been handed life imprisonment with PKR 1 million fine, failing to pay
the fine, Hanif Abbasi will have to spend two more years in prison. Consequently, disqualifying Hanif Abbasi from contesting the upcoming elections.
The
case hit the limelight in March 2011 when the then government intend to
investigate the allocation of 9000 kg of ephedrine to pharmaceutical industries. Hanif Abbasi was charged with misusing 500 kg of controlled chemical ephedrine. However, the Anti-Narcotics court
Rawalpindi adjudged Hanif Abbasi guilty and acquitted seven others co-accused.
Following
conviction, Hanif Abbasi was escorted by ANF force, encircled by charged PMLN
supporters, from the back gate of the courtroom to the armored vehicle and straight to Adiyala
Jail, Rawalpindi. It came as a blow to already bedridden PMLN, which is marred
with defectors, disgruntled party leaders, candidates denying party tickets,
switching of loyalties, and on top the conviction against party leadership
Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar, which landed them in jail.
Call
it a naive measure, PMLN leadership did not even choose a back up
candidate. Now the constituency falls vacant to Sheikh Rashid -- would have easily steered his way to National Assembly -- but Election Commission of Pakistan has suspended holding of election in NA-60.
It is pertinent to mention here that the verdict was set to be announced in August but the change of date and that too three days before the election day has somewhat made the verdict controversial and suspicious. Therefore, PMLN leadership is terming the verdict as politically motivated.
It is pertinent to mention here that the verdict was set to be announced in August but the change of date and that too three days before the election day has somewhat made the verdict controversial and suspicious. Therefore, PMLN leadership is terming the verdict as politically motivated.
Anyhow,
there are reports that Hanif Abbasi will file appeal against the verdict. Only
time will tell, how the absence of top political leadership will affect PMLN
chances in upcoming general election which are on three days distance.
Here
is the link to complete report of ephedrine case.
https://bit.ly/2LbBqwB
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