Nawaz Sharif decries denial of fair trial in Panama Papers case

LONDON - Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that he did not get the chance of a fair trial in the Panama Papers case that led to his disqualification from office.

In a brief chit-chat with newsmen after the consultative meeting of ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, the PML-N president expressed his dismay over his disqualification on the basis of Iqama (foreign work permit).

'If this was a fair trial, then I would not have been disqualified on an Iqama instead of Panama [papers].' he said.

Reminding the political observers that he was aware of what was going around in the country, the former premier reiterated that 'none of this was fair' in a veiled reference to the accountability court proceedings against the Sharif family.

The elder Sharif also rubbished the rumours of a divide within the party assuring that no minus Nawaz formula was in play.

To a query regarding his return to Pakistan, the former prime minister said he would return to Pakistan on November 2 to appear before the accountability court.

Earlier, the consultative meeting of PML-N decided that no extra-constitutional step would be accepted and the election campaign would be initiated ahead of planned schedule.