DATE=4/6/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / SHARIF VERDICT WRAP (L-O)
NUMBER=2-261020
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=KARACHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Six months after being ousted by a military
coup, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
has been sentenced to life in prison. As
correspondent Scott Anger reports, Mr. Sharif has been
convicted of hijacking and terrorism, charges which
stem from the diversion of a passenger plane last
October.
TEXT: In a crowded courtroom in southern Pakistani
city of Karachi, family members openly wept as Judge
Rehmat Hussain Jaffri pronounced Nawaz Sharif guilty
on two of the four charges he was facing. Each guilty
charge carries a life-in-prison sentence, which
lawyers say will run concurrently, equaling 25-years.
The court has cleared Mr. Sharif on the charges of
kidnapping and attempted murder. His younger brother
Shabaz and five other co-defendants have been
acquitted of all the charges against them.
Nawaz Sharif's wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, condemns the
conviction. She accuses Pakistan's military leader,
General Pervez Musharraf, of targeting her husband.
/// NAWAZ ACT ///
This judgment speaks of the personal vendetta
against Nawaz Sharif. It is a politically
motivated judgment (made) under pressure. Only
one person has been targeted (and) this is what
they (the military government) wanted.
/// END ACT ///
The prosecution charged that on October 12 Mr. Sharif
tried to prevent an airliner carrying the army chief,
General Pervez Musharraf, from landing at Karachi
airport. The plane, which was low on fuel, was
allowed to land after the army took control of the
airport. Within hours, the military, under General
Musharraf, overthrew Mr. Sharif's government.
The judge says Mr. Sharif ordered the aircraft to be
diverted from landing -- a move he says endangered the
lives of all on board because the aircraft was running
low on fuel. The plane eventually landed after troops
loyal to General Musharraf took control of the
airport.
Political analyst Hussain Haqqani says the verdict can
be viewed as a setback for both sides in the case.
/// HAQQANI ACT ///
The prosecution is going to appeal the fact
there wasn't a death sentence and is also going
to appeal the acquittal of the co-accused. And
the defense is going to appeal the verdict
against Nawaz Sharif, so we will see this drag
out for a little while.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Sharif's lawyers say they will file their appeal
within seven days. First, they must petition the
provincial high court in Karachi. If the appeal is
rejected, the final legal move is to petition
Pakistan's Supreme Court. If the conviction is upheld
by the country's higher courts, observers say Nawaz
Sharif's political life will be over. (Signed)
NEB/SA/gm
06-Apr-2000 13:05 PM EDT (06-Apr-2000 1705 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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