Pakistan: Court defers Sharif's indictment after clash

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - An anti-corruption court Friday delayed the indictment of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his other family members following a clash between police and ruling party supporters in the capital Islamabad, local media reported.

The clash began after dozens of ruling party lawyers and supporters tried to enter the court premises despite a ban on the entry of persons unrelated to the process.

Live footage on local broadcaster Express News showed infuriated lawyers and ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) supporters, including women, pushing police personnel in an attempt to enter the courtroom. The police, in return, baton-charged the crowd, injuring several people.

Some lawyers and Nawaz supporters managed to enter the courtroom and shouted slogans against police, forcing the judge to exit the court.

Prosecutors alleged that they were manhandled by the ruling party lawyers and supporters in the courtroom, according to Express News.

The court adjourned the indictment of Sharif, his daughter and political heir Maryam Nawaz, and son-in-law Mohammad Safdar in multiple corruption cases until Oct.19.

Sharif, 67, was disqualified by the country's top court in the Panama Papers scandal in July this year. The apex court had also ordered the opening of several corruption cases against Sharif and members of his family.