Sharif's ouster triggers political turmoil in Pak: HRW

Islamabad [Pakistan], Jan 20 (ANI): Ouster of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif has triggered a political turmoil and instability in the country, says Human Rights Watch.

Sharif had resigned as the prime minister in July last year after the Supreme Court disqualified him over unclaimed salary from the company of his own son.

"Political turmoil and instability engulfed Pakistan after Nawaz Sharif stepped down as prime minister in July after a five-member Supreme Court bench disqualified him based on investigations into corruption allegations," reads the HRW annual report for 2018 issued on Friday.

The HRW report mentioned that Sharif's disqualification added to the political uncertainty after his party, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML-N, has turned strict towards the judiciary and the security establishment since his removal.

"Security forces remained unaccountable for human rights violations and exercised disproportionate political influence over civilian authorities, especially in matters of national security and counterterrorism," it said. (ANI)

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