 "Nawaz Sharif's ouster as Pakistan PM: A timeline of Panama Papers scandal")
Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?
Nawaz Sharif on Friday stepped down as the prime minister of Pakistan despite having "strong reservations" on Supreme Court’s verdict, which disqualified him from holding public office in a landmark decision on the Panama Papers case, the Dawn reported.
This decision bring’s Sharif’s third-term in power to an abrupt end, around one year before the scheduled general elections, which would have seen him become the first Pakistani prime minister to complete the five-year term.
Following is the chronology of the Panamagate scandal:
April 4, 2016: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism publishes the Panama Papers, exposing tax evasion by the world's elite through off-shore accounts and shell companies. The documents include names of Sharif's family.
April 5, 2016: Sharif sets up a judicial committee to investigate the allegations, denies charges.
April 26, 2016: Opposition parties reject the judicial commission set up by the government.
November 1, 2016: The Supreme Court decides to pursue a case related to Nawaz Sharif.
November 7, 2016: PML-N submits Qatari prince's letter to the Supreme Court containing information about the London flats that were at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal.
January 6, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz submits details of assets after the Supreme Court resumes hearing.
April 20, 2017: SC orders formation of a JIT with a split 3-2 verdict to probe the corruption charges against Sharif.
May 5, 2017: SC formally constitutes the JIT.
May 22, 2017: The JIT presents its first bi-weekly report to the SC in two volumes.
May 24, 2017: The JIT sends questionnaires to Sharif and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan.
May 28, 2017: Sharif's elder son, Hussain, appears before the JIT, claims it did not provide him any questionnaire.
May 30, 2017: Hussain appears before JIT for the second time.
June 13, 2017: The JIT submits report to the SC on obstructions to its work, blames government institutions for "creating impediments in the collection of evidence".
June 15, 2017: Sharif appears before the JIT for questioning, becoming the first sitting Pakistan prime minister to appear before any investigating agency.
June 17, 2017: Sharif's younger brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif questioned by JIT.
July 5, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam appears before JIT.
July 7, 2017: Former Qatari premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani sends a letter to the JIT, asking it to record his statement at his palace before submitting its final report to the SC.
July 8, 2017: PML-N says will reject any JIT report without Qatari ex-premier's statement.
July 10, 2017: The JIT submits the final report to the SC.
July 21, 2017: The three-judge bench Supreme Court bench hearing the case reserves decision.
July 28, 2017: The five-member SC bench unanimously rules against Sharif, disqualifying him from the office.
This decision bring’s Sharif’s third-term in power to an abrupt end, around one year before the scheduled general elections, which would have seen him become the first Pakistani prime minister to complete the five-year term.
Following is the chronology of the Panamagate scandal:
April 4, 2016: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism publishes the Panama Papers, exposing tax evasion by the world's elite through off-shore accounts and shell companies. The documents include names of Sharif's family.
April 5, 2016: Sharif sets up a judicial committee to investigate the allegations, denies charges.
April 26, 2016: Opposition parties reject the judicial commission set up by the government.
November 1, 2016: The Supreme Court decides to pursue a case related to Nawaz Sharif.
November 7, 2016: PML-N submits Qatari prince's letter to the Supreme Court containing information about the London flats that were at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal.
January 6, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz submits details of assets after the Supreme Court resumes hearing.
April 20, 2017: SC orders formation of a JIT with a split 3-2 verdict to probe the corruption charges against Sharif.
May 5, 2017: SC formally constitutes the JIT.
May 22, 2017: The JIT presents its first bi-weekly report to the SC in two volumes.
May 24, 2017: The JIT sends questionnaires to Sharif and his two sons - Hussain and Hassan.
May 28, 2017: Sharif's elder son, Hussain, appears before the JIT, claims it did not provide him any questionnaire.
May 30, 2017: Hussain appears before JIT for the second time.
June 13, 2017: The JIT submits report to the SC on obstructions to its work, blames government institutions for "creating impediments in the collection of evidence".
June 15, 2017: Sharif appears before the JIT for questioning, becoming the first sitting Pakistan prime minister to appear before any investigating agency.
June 17, 2017: Sharif's younger brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif questioned by JIT.
July 5, 2017: Sharif's daughter Maryam appears before JIT.
July 7, 2017: Former Qatari premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani sends a letter to the JIT, asking it to record his statement at his palace before submitting its final report to the SC.
July 8, 2017: PML-N says will reject any JIT report without Qatari ex-premier's statement.
July 10, 2017: The JIT submits the final report to the SC.
July 21, 2017: The three-judge bench Supreme Court bench hearing the case reserves decision.
July 28, 2017: The five-member SC bench unanimously rules against Sharif, disqualifying him from the office.
Currently, it is unclear who will be appointed to take over his post until the 2018 general elections.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%