Social media weighs in on Hanif Abbasi's life sentence
Timing, manner of judgement shows a discriminatory attitude towards PML-N: Shehbaz Sharif
Shehbaz Sharif says timing, manner of judgement shows a discriminatory attitude towards PML-N. PHOTO: FILE
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".
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.
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".
While Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed lauded the judgement saying that "you reep what you sow" referring to Abbasi's actions.
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".
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.
PML-N's Hanif Abbasi gets life imprisonment in ephedrine quota case
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.
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".
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.
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".
While Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed lauded the judgement saying that "you reep what you sow" referring to Abbasi's actions.
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".
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.
PML-N's Hanif Abbasi gets life imprisonment in ephedrine quota case
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.