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FILE – In this archival photo of October 3, 2017, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addresses his supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League at a meeting of the party's General Council in Islamabad, Pakistan. On Wednesday, September 19, 2018, a Pakistani court suspended the prison sentences passed on Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law, and released them on bail pending hearings. The Islamabad High Court issued the ruling on the corruption case that was sent to the Sharif by an anti-corruption court earlier this year. (AP Photo / Anjum Naveed, File)
ISLAMABAD – A Pakistani court on Wednesday suspended prison sentences against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law and released them on bail pending hearings.
The Islamabad High Court made the decision after the Sharif asked to appeal their sentences, handed down by an anti-corruption court earlier this year in a corruption case against them.
This development is the latest in a series of scandals involving the former Pakistani prime minister, who began with his ouster last year and served a prison sentence, as well as several corruption cases and lawsuits. His party, the former ruling party of the Pakistan Muslim League, has meanwhile lost in the legislative elections this summer and has taken up the torch of opposition to the government of the new Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In Wednesday's ruling, the court also ordered that Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Mohammad Safdar, be released once they each have a bond of 500,000 rupees, or about $ 4,000.
Prosecutors in the case, the Office of National Accountability, said they would appeal the decision on Wednesday and bring their case against Sharif to the country's Supreme Court.
Following the decision on Sharif, his supporters rushed to court in jubilation, chanting pro-Sharif slogans.
"It's a triumph of justice," said Sharif's ally and former foreign minister, Khawaja Asif.
Amjad Pervez, a defense lawyer, said the required requirements had already been posted and that Sharif and his family would soon be released from Adiala Prison, in the nearby town of Rawalpindi, where they served ten years , seven years and one year imprisonment, respectively.
Sharif was briefly released on parole earlier this month to attend the funeral of his wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, who died in a London hospital after a long battle with cancer.
In July 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled out Sharif's allegations of corruption. He faced several court cases at his home and was subsequently found guilty of concealing property abroad. The charges stemmed from the so-called documents disclosed by a Panamanian law firm. Sharif faced two other cases in the anti-corruption court.
Reacting to Wednesday's decision, Senator Javed Faisal, a close aide to Prime Minister Khan, said the court only suspended Sharif's sentence and his family members and did not acquit them.
"Their supporters should not celebrate as much as they will likely have to return to Adiala Prison," said Faisal.
However, analysts view the decision as a "temporary relief" and a definite boost for Sharif's party and supporters.
"If the court finally quashes Sharif's conviction, that will be a source of concern for the new government," Tauseef Ahmed said, adding that "Sharif is still a popular leader and has the ability to mobilize the masses."
Ahsan Iqbal, legislator of the Sharif party and former interior minister, said the anti-corruption court had recognized Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law without any legal motive, but "based on a vendetta".
