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The Supreme Court announced its final decision on the Panamagate case on July 28, disqualifying Nawaz Sharif for not being "honest" under Articles 62(1)(f) of the Constitution and Article 99(f) of the Representation of the People's Act.
Ever since the joint investigation team (JIT) submitted its report to the Supreme Court on July 10, both national and international media had speculated about the fate of Nawaz Sharif and his family, which rested in the hands of a five-member bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.
After the decision was announced yesterday, the global media spoke up. Following are a few reactions published in media organisations around the world.
The Guardian
In an editorial titled "The Guardian view on Pakistan and the Panama Papers: an international affair", the paper wrote:
"Though this leaves Pakistan’s politics in turmoil, it is a very international affair […] Efforts must not stop there. The public register for beneficial owners of UK companies must be extended to British tax havens; it must include trusts; and a proper means of checking it must be introduced. Accountability should not depend on leaks, however effective they have proved this time."
Read the article here.
The New York Times
In an op-ed titled "Pakistan’s Court Sets a Dangerous Precedent", Aqil Shah wrote:
"The verdict came as no surprise. Even though Mr. Sharif was not named in the Panama leaks, and there is no evidence that he abused public office for private gain, the judges disqualified him for hiding assets, and therefore, not being “honest,” […] Pakistan’s politicians are not paragons of probity, but corruption is not the main reason for Mr. Sharif’s predicament […] The judges have clearly undermined the perception of justice by deposing Mr Sharif without due process or trial to prove his innocence."
Read the article here.
Hindustan Times
In an editorial titled "Nawaz Sharif’s conviction leaves a political vacuum in Pakistan. This is not good for India", the Hindustan Times wrote:
"His departure from the political scene is almost certain to herald a period of volatility within Pakistan and, therefore, greater risk in relations between India and Pakistan."
Read the article here.
Bloomberg
In an editorial titled "Pakistan's Politics Fail Again", Bloomberg's editors wrote:
"Nobody should be above the law, but the circumstances surrounding the judgement are troubling… Pakistan's courts shouldn't do the work of voters. Its anti-graft bodies could use more resources and greater independence, but politicians should resolve their political differences in parliament and through the ballot box. Removing Sharif may have been the right thing to do, but it's no remedy for what ails Pakistan."
Read the article here.
Times of India
In an article titled "India keeps close watch as verdict on Nawaz Sharif puts Pakistan in a flux", Indra Bagchi wrote:
"The [Indian] government has stayed silent, refraining from even categorising this as an "internal matter", which is a stock response by the foreign ministry, but the unseating of the Pakistani leader is not a surprise to South Block.
The possibility of political instability deepening in Pakistan cannot be ruled out and, if that happens, India will take on a more defensive posture."
Read the article here.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (63) Closed
Jul 29, 2017 03:10pm
The decision will further strengthen democracy and rule of law.
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Jul 29, 2017 03:14pm
Let the world think what they make of it. We the Pakistanis deserve better treatment for our leadership. Elections in Pakistan are a hoax. Party tickets are on sale. Cronies make things even worse. So let's hail the decision and hope further strict actions will be taken against all culprits belonging to all institutions, not just politicians.
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Jul 29, 2017 03:14pm
Only The Guardian made just comment.
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Jul 29, 2017 03:22pm
This was a garbage verdict. Nawaz and his party will be back in 2018. A slap on the face of the voters whose choice for the 17th time was rejected by the 'establishment'.
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Jul 29, 2017 03:26pm
International countries want to keep Pakistan corrupt for it is easy for them to deal with a person who can be bought.
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Jul 29, 2017 03:30pm
For sure this will cause instability. The focus should have been Sind Government, its performance and Zardaris. Sharif family may have benefited from the office and made money, but contrast that with Sind. Nobody seems to be paying attention to the much bigger culprits.
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Jul 29, 2017 03:36pm
Pakistan has its own Law and the Courts follow those Laws, none of the above newspapers mentioned about failure of Nawaz Sharif in declaring what he owned and possesed.It is high time they recognised this as our internal matter and should have hailed the decision by our Supreme Court.
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Jul 29, 2017 03:44pm
Instead of giving us long never ending lectures on corruption and money laundering, the west especially Britain should fix its laws so that corrupt politicians and drug barons don't use its property market to launder money . Money earned through corruption rarely stays in the country of its origin and mostly end up in real estate in the west !
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Jul 29, 2017 03:44pm
Panama leak has so far eaten many world wide politicians. NS is recent target. First target was Iceland prime minister then David Cameroon former English premier. There are around 500 Indian celebrities, businessmen and politician whose names have been mentioned in panama gate leak. After Pakistan next turn is India's now..
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Jul 29, 2017 03:57pm
@dheeraj kumar - Correction, David Cameron did not lose his PM position, because of Panama. He resigned after the EU referendum. With regards to Nawaz Sharif, he is disqualified because of corrupt practices. This proved that Pakistan's judiciary system is independent, impartial and makes brave decisions without any influence, based on evidence presented.
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Jul 29, 2017 04:16pm
Nytimes questioning Supreme Court for not giving time to Sharifs. Whereas; he was given ample time to justify his position(1 year 3 Months). And there are number of references against him, plus they have given so many conflicting statements and conflicting documents, the court simply cannot allow them to go free as it will encourage those practices.
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Jul 29, 2017 04:24pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Yes we appreciated Pakistan's historical ever decision. People were not expecting Pakistan to take such bold step. It showed a revolution is next in Pakistan now. We offer our wishes to Pakistan in this transitional phase.
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Jul 29, 2017 04:28pm
It's our internal matter and we understand best what is going on here and what suits us best. West has double standards and their views vary accordingly.
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Jul 29, 2017 04:46pm
As a Pakistani living int he west I can tell you that it is clear the western papers don't follow these events closely then in the end they just have information fed to them from someone in Pakistan regarding the case and in most cases its from people from the government.
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Jul 29, 2017 04:49pm
After reading all about the judgement and 'facts' placed before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, it is quite evident that the Supreme Court has preferred to play to galleries. To me, in Delhi, a decision of this magnitude appears to have been taken in haste. Though for someone like me it makes no difference as to who heads the government in Pakistan, but it certainly makes an image of the country and its pillars of democracy, as to how the decision appears to have been arrived at. The verdict of 'not being honest hence not fit for the post' appears too much of a populist verdict, may be influenced by the popular movement carried on by the party of Mr. Imran Khan. The fact of his being a salaried person in a Gulf Company for some time (which he is stated to have resorted to, for gaining residential status) has been twisted to this extent. Well, in South Asia 'being honest' is not an important criteria for success. I wish democracy remains firmly rooted in Pakistan for years to come.
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Jul 29, 2017 04:51pm
@Abdul Moiz haha, keep dreaming. Remember next 6 months will be spent exposing Nawaz and family day by day in a trial court. He and his family will be finished for good by the time next election comes.
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Jul 29, 2017 04:52pm
@Harmony-1© Some Pakistani in delusion crediting its court.But it is a long way to go for truth in the institutions of Pakistan for obvious reasons .All culprits, corrupts or terrorists must be punished.
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Jul 29, 2017 05:08pm
Return Nawaz Return
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Jul 29, 2017 05:28pm
Democracy( infant democracy) in Pakistan will probably continue but not without the blessings of 'Uniform ' and it is a fact not digestible to many in Pakistan.
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Jul 29, 2017 05:35pm
Global media has no knowledge of the actual events in Pakistan.
The global media is extremely bias and their main goal is to show any ideology or opinion which opposes their thinking as sensational news! (why? because that sells locally and make money for them, that's what they are focused on).
In reality there is no such thing as ethics, the only "one" thing that a journalist gets when he practices journalism with ethics is getting fired!
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Jul 29, 2017 05:39pm
If you hold public office for three times and your wealth grows from 10% to110% then yes you are accountable unless you show to the court and nation where is money coming from, Except Guardian all other paper speaking on behalf of corrupt individuals or the government who has interest to keep corrupt politician in powers so they can benefit like the way they have politicians in India and Afghanistan
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Jul 29, 2017 05:53pm
From day one of the Ist dharna it was written on the wall that POWERFUL HANDS has decided to oust Nawaz. The blamei is " why you are mudding the water".
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Jul 29, 2017 06:15pm
After disqualification the next move for sure will be review by UK Tax Authorities
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Jul 29, 2017 06:22pm
Read The Guardian report in detail, it goes further into the ownership of Mayfair property how it was purchased . Sharif childern were minor at the time when flats were purchased. Who paid for them, still a mystery .
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Jul 29, 2017 06:27pm
This decision is brilliant. It will make sure Politicians cannot hide their assets!. If you want to serve in a public officr, you should declare your interests and investments. If you are in office and get gifts/kickbacks; you must declare them.
In financial sector; anyone RELATED to a public office holder also gets to go through additional AML etc checks.
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Jul 29, 2017 06:32pm
Well , sympathetic column for Nawaz Sharif in Indian press is understandable, he is their business partner . I am surprised Sharif 's close friends Al Thanis of Qatar and Al Saud of KSA are unusually quiet.
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Jul 29, 2017 07:02pm
Fact is Nawaz and family looted Pakistan money and poor pakistani paid it through poverty suffering ill healt ang living miserably They should be jailed and money recovered. Nawaz stole money for self interest kept low profile to Indian atrocities did not assign a foreign minister like maleha old hi as they may provide alternate leadership that left international forum open for India to exploit against Pakista he was worse than a dictator uneducated sociopath who was manipulating the country for self interest. Of course other criminals and sociopaths like zardari and gang and others should face the same fate but it does not mean if justice is served to one criminal and not others some how he become a victim of conspiracy. Nawaz is not denying stealing Pak money he is complaining why only me. Nawaz and family should be jailed and their assets be confiscated and returned to people of Pakistan and hope other corrupt politicians sociopaths meet the same fate. One up Pakistan
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Jul 29, 2017 07:09pm
Thunders before storm.
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Jul 29, 2017 07:15pm
The good or bad the court decision will influence Pakistani politics for 100 years,rightly said by so called 'Honorable Judges'.
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Jul 29, 2017 07:28pm
Leo Tolstoy's immortal story on 'how much land a man needs' is relevant to all politicians who amass wealth in a great hurry.
Pakistani judiciary did the right and that should be an example worthy of emulation to our Supreme Court of India.
Let the Supreme Court of India decide the cases involving politicians as speedily as their counterpart in Pakistan did.
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Jul 29, 2017 07:40pm
Foreign newspapers either see the verdict with an in different view or with respect to the perspective of their respective country. Although judgement may temporarily leave some caustic upshots on economy but Pakistani people praise the justice served. Lets be hopeful that cleansing of politics and society continues indiscriminately...
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Jul 29, 2017 07:42pm
What do global news outlets know about Nawaz Sharif. Nothing. They only run with headlines. All most of them know is only what you tell them.
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Jul 29, 2017 07:50pm
I thought lying under oath is the biggest offense is US of A. Now that I call hypocrisy of these ISA papers.
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Jul 29, 2017 07:51pm
I think Pakistan's courts have set a great precedent. what are they saying - these corrupt mafia should be let go - not asked question? - should not be tried in the court of law? isn't the first time this ever happened. wasn't that smooth enough - isn't that what democracy is called? i mean all these foreign articles written by folks keeping an external eye. ask the people and the political parties inside the country. isn't that what happened in China - U.S, Britain or other western countries - that if someone is found guilty either shameful enough to leave himself or shameless to wait until court disgrace them out their power seat. This is a great Samaritan - everyone must come out clean in order to be the executive or get tried and get banned.
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Jul 29, 2017 08:29pm
The Washington post and Huffington post made pro IK comments. No wonder they're not covered here.
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Jul 29, 2017 08:39pm
@Ahsan gul
Let us consider whoever hails this decision against Nawaz Sharif as honest and sincere.Now how many of these honest ,will declare that they are ready for any type of investigation..?
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Jul 29, 2017 08:41pm
New York Times " Should check on its editor in chief or its foreign correspondent in Pakistan.
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Jul 29, 2017 08:42pm
The facts are imho,
1. Nawaz was punished for being "dishonest" not for being "corrupt"
2. All 4 parties PML, PPP, PTI and Military leaders are corrupt and everyone have millions of dollars investment s abroad
3. All the first 3 parties are questionable and the Military is beyond questions.
4. That ultimately leaves only the Military to lead the country
5. That is in a way good for other countries esp for India as they now have to deal with only one leadership who can take strong decisions.
6. Depending on their strength and intentions military can cause havoc or prosperity to the country
7. Last but importnat fact is myself and everyone reading this forgot about what people of Pakistan want
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Jul 29, 2017 09:26pm
Apart from Indian newspapers, many writers are Pakistan based in other news agencies. Unfortunately, they are also speaking the same language as pro government journalists in Pakistan. For example, an election can outset a Prime Minister, or the charges against him was not good enough and his name was not in the leak. They ignored the fact that the supreme judiciary gave enough time and chances to the PM and his expensive team of lawyers. They didn't take it seriously. They also ignored the fact that the same judiciary pardon the government in the election rigging charges.
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Jul 29, 2017 10:14pm
Lol. Again the the guardian comments are bejng hailed while the rest are being discarded here by our readers. So typical of this naya Pakistan. If anything is against you, then it can not be right. Even with Javed Hashmi, the same guy who heralded a hero by our new Pakistanis when he joined their party is now being labeleld as a luanitc becuase he comented on what he saw happening in the party.
NS being dismissed is not a problem, but if this was not a ploy by a 'hidden hand' then the Supreme Court should dismiss each and every one of the parliamentarians with such tight scrutiny.
And finally, who is going to account for the judges who took an oath during the Musharraf regime in the infamous PCO scnadal? What about army officers? When can we expect their accountability? Jehangir Tehreen, Shah Mehmood and the rest of the PTI, PML N andPPP? When are we gonna see the tight scurtiny if each and every politician? ANnd all those that have passed through the PTI 'laundry service'.
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Jul 29, 2017 10:14pm
NYTIMEs got the narrative from PML N or GEO. They ignored mountain of evidence. YEs Sharif's name is not in Panama but all of his children name are in . They accumulated wealth without working any job. Ahhhhmm.
There is a reason Trump call them "Fake News".
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Jul 29, 2017 11:19pm
@haider shaikh Pakistani people are very emotional and don't see the situation a clear and transparent manner. What about Chaudhry brothers? What about Sheikh Rashid? What about Babar Awan? Aren't they corrupt? What about Musharraf? Why singling out Nawaz?
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Jul 29, 2017 11:21pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, i am sorry but please stop twisting the facts. The Supreme Court didn't find NS corrupt. I hope the level of scrutiny applied by the court is extended to all politicians. The only way fairness can prevail. I'm sure you'll agree.
So accoriding to that, Imran khan is next. He didn't declare his assets either so if the court is impartial then IK should be packing his bags soon too. But let's see what the establishment decides, the hidden hand :)
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Jul 30, 2017 12:16am
Fair for Britain but dangerous for USA and India.
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Jul 30, 2017 12:33am
A unique judgment let the supreme courts of the worlds should learn from it. We would like to request the honorable coyrt that a single Sadiq and Amin may idetified in pakistan to be followed
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Jul 30, 2017 12:46am
@haider shaikh You mean strengthen military that can not see any PM make friendly moves to India, or attempt to try establish civilian control. Remember following arrival of Rao by NS Kargill adventure was initiated and arrival of Modi again by NS IK and MAQ were stimulated to start Dharna. Not surprisingly SC was influenced to include two military personnel in a supposedly civilian JIT. Most unfortunately the main reason for disqualification appears to be only un-withdrawn salary while in UAE.
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Jul 30, 2017 12:48am
Its not a surprise that All newspapers and Journalists opinion is biased and always been against Pakistan. They are always happy if Pakistan is in trouble.They never want Nation to flourish.Why dont they encourage Judiciary to continue this process and catch other corrupts.Please bring stability in our region for the sake of humanity as well as lies your safety
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Jul 30, 2017 01:45am
My only worried about all these is that military will grab the power again and will minimize the role of the civilian Government as they have done in the past. We need civilian Government in south Asia to solve our differences and give the people their well-deserved power of democracy. However, by saying that I am not supporting NS. On the contrary, I am welcoming the SC verdict. This verdict should be considered as a signature of Pakistani democracy.
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Jul 30, 2017 02:01am
@Harmony-1© true.
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Jul 30, 2017 04:22am
Non declaration of meager undrawn salary can cost him premiership. Unthikable, where is panama corruption,
NS will bounce back.
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Jul 30, 2017 07:29am
@Ahsan gul it means pakistanis haven't got any sense to reject or resist what international countries want. What do we want?
Corruption is our own problem. And we so deaf and dumb to it. Very easy to blame others.
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Jul 30, 2017 07:36am
The roots of corruption lie deep and unfortunately millions do not understand what corruption.
Filing untrue nomination papers to election commission is also a Corruption.
Much of money is spent on hiding the truth, is also a Corruption.
Misuse and neglecting the law is also corruption and this has happened for a very first time that someone at the top position is punished for telling a lie which is not a crime too many.
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Jul 30, 2017 08:07am
Without making any comments on judgement right or wrong, I will like to inform that for similar charges against our political leaders ,even if found correct, would have taken minimum 25 years to finally decide the case. Also as per present acts ,the culprit would have been punished with fine only. To that extend I appreciate quick judgement of Courts
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Jul 30, 2017 08:10am
@haider shaikh : Let us see. Only time will tell what is what.
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Jul 30, 2017 08:14am
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani : No, corruption is not a chage so far. It will be evident only when Accontability court finishes its job. Please read the judgement carefuly.
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Jul 30, 2017 08:47am
@Umer : The NYT Op-Ed article is by one Aqil Shah whose personal sympathies may be interesting to explore.
Clint Eastwood spoke of opinions with the "flare" of White House Communications chief Scaramucchi!
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Jul 30, 2017 09:22am
Simple-minded people are celebrating.
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Jul 30, 2017 09:22am
@Harmony-1© The Guardian made an irrelevant comment. Wake up and smell the coffee!
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Jul 30, 2017 09:46am
Why not punish the man and his family if they are corrupt,why this quarter of a judgement,by the way 1 gentle man by the name Pervej Musharraf also owns properties in London,Dubai and is holder of several off shore accounts,his declared amount to yr EC is some 600 million Rs,though actual estimates are close to 2000 million Rs,by his own admission he came from very humble background,how about some investigating here.
Or is he above law as he belongs to yr Army who allowed him to escape yr country.
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Jul 30, 2017 10:12am
We hope that Shabaz is more assertive with the Military / ISI and helps Pakistan and India work towards a more peaceful resolution to their ever-pending issues.
For Pakistan to prosper, it has to make peace with India. Willingly or otherwise.
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Jul 30, 2017 11:32am
@dheeraj kumar.. I hope we continue it shouldn't stop at NS only..there are more then 300 individuals in Pakistan whose names are in Panama.... Corruption is a common issues in subcontinent
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Jul 30, 2017 03:44pm
The comments from the international community removes the mask worn by different countries and clearly shows
Who is with us and who is against us
Salute to all the honest, hardworking and brave Pakistani's who played their parts to reach the final verdict of The Supreme Court
They are The unsung Heroes and history will remember them
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Jul 30, 2017 03:54pm
@Moona - "smell the coffee" goes for you actually. There is corruption written all over it and you are still in denial.
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