Social media weighs in on Hanif Abbasi's life sentence

Timing, manner of judgement shows a discriminatory attitude towards PML-N: Shehbaz Sharif

The news of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi's life imprisonment in the ephedrine quota case just three days before the general elections drew strong reaction on social media.

Party's president Shehbaz Sharif cried foul over the decision by saying "The timing and manner of judgement of Hanif Abbasi clearly shows a discriminatory attitude towards PML-N, targeting our Party on the eve of the polls when PML-N is on the verge of winning the polls".

Verdict, like judgement in the case of Nawaz Sharif, came after an inordinately long wait on Saturday close to midnight, and that too in the midst of the election campaign. All cases against other politicians, including IK & AAZ, have been deferred till after elections... (cont)

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 21, 2018

Only an exception has been made in case of PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi. We condemn the malafides behind the timing of this decision, which is politically motivated and seeks to undermine the election campaign of the PML-N.... (cont)

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 21, 2018

Notwithstanding such discrimination & targeting of PMLN, I appeal to all our candidates & workers to resist & reject such nefarious designs & remain loyal to the single-minded objective of ensuring victory for PMLN in July 25 polls, Inshallah. The verdict is also harsh & unfair!

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 21, 2018

With former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal saying that the court's decision has raised serious questions and is a blemish on the transparency of the upcoming election on July 25.

الیکشن سے 3 روز قبل حنیف عباسی کا فیصلہ بہت سارے سوالات اٹھا گیا- الیکشن کی شفافیت پر ایک اور دھبہ https://t.co/fE87SL4yzL

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) July 21, 2018

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, the head of think thank Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency, said that the "dubious manner in which decision about NA candidate Hanif Abbasi has been announced at 11pm tonight has direct and disastrous impact on fairness of election. This and similar actions are destroying credibility of coming election. ECP no more has the option to look the other way".

The dubious manner in which decision about NA candidate Hanif Abbasi has been announced at 11 pm tonight has direct & disastrous impact on fairness of election.This & similar actions are destroying credibility of coming election. ECP no more has the option to look the other way.

— احمد بلال محبوبAhmedBilalMehboob (@ABMPildat) July 21, 2018

While Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed lauded the judgement saying that "you reep what you sow" referring to Abbasi's actions.

ایفی ڈرین کوٹا کیس اپنے انجام کو پہنچ گیا،
حنیف عباسی منشیات فروخت کررہا تھا، پکڑا گیا
حنیف عباسی نے جوبویا وہی کاٹا ہے،

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) July 21, 2018

While author Imtiaz Gul Hanif Abbasi said that the "conviction raises serious doubts about the role of people within judiciary and establishment. Sharif trial, conviction and now Hanif Abbasi conviction;All smells rat, apparently to generate sympathy for N-League, reinforcing Sharif's narrative. Little doubt now".

Hanif Abbasi conviction raises serious doubts about the role of people within judiciary and establishment. Sharif trial, conviction and now Hanif Abbasi conviction;All smells rat, apparently to generate sympathy for N-League, reinforcing Sharif's narrative. Little doubt now

— Imtiaz Gul (@ImtiazGul60) July 21, 2018

The timing and manner of judgement of Hanif Abbasi clearly shows a discriminatory attitude towards PML-N, targeting our Party on the eve of the polls when PML-N is on the verge of winning the polls.... (cont)

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 21, 2018

I wonder what is worse: Imposition of #MartialLaw or widespread questions on electoral #Legitimacy & belief of #RiggedElections?#MartialLaw can, in fact, & ironically, nurture a desire for democracy. Questions on #ElectionLegitimacy erode trust in the idea of democracy itself.

— Adil Najam  (@AdilNajam) July 21, 2018

Abbasi was arrested from the premises of the court soon after the sentence was announced. The court, however, acquitted seven other accused in the case.

Initial reports suggest that Abbasi will be sent to Adiala jail, the same prison where former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz are serving their sentences in the Avenfield reference.

A ruckus was witnessed outside the court as PML-N supporters chanted slogans following the announcement of the verdict.

Abbasi was to contest upcoming general election against Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid from Rawalpindi’s NA-60 constituency on PML-N’s ticket. However, with today’s verdict he will be automatically disqualified from contesting any polls.

The verdict was announced by Judge Sardar Muhammad Akram. The other accused were acquitted on the basis of ‘benefit of doubt’ in the case.

 

The ANF in the investigations had declared that Hanif Abbasi obtained 500kg ephedrine for manufacturing medicines in 2010 but instead sold the chemical to narcotics smugglers.

On July 11, LHC had directed the anti-narcotics court to fix daily hearings for the case and pass judgment by July 21.