Former Pakistan premier surrenders to authorities

KARACHI, Pakistan

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif surrendered Tuesday to authorities in northeastern Lahore following the expiration of a bail term in a corruption case, local media reported.

The three-time premier, along with his daughter and political heir, Maryam Nawaz, led a rally from his residence to the Kot Lakhpat jail, ignoring warnings from the government that refused to allow the political show.

A team of jail officials reached the former leader’s sprawling farmhouse located in the city's northern outskirts to escort him to jail, but a defiant Sharif refused to leave.

Live footage aired on Geo News showed Sharif sitting in a bullet-proof vehicle with supporters raising slogans and showering rose petals on his vehicle.

Carrying banners, posters and party flags, thousands of Sharif's right-wing Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) backers gathered in his power base of Lahore.

"I thank you all for your spirit and love. This dark night of suppression will end soon," Sharif said in a televised message before his surrender.

Sharif, who was sentenced to 17 years in two corruption cases, was granted a six-week bail by the country’s top court in March after a medical board suggested he shift to a hospital for cardiac treatment.

The Supreme Court last week turned down a plea seeking an extension in his bail and ordered him to surrender to authorities.

Sharif's daughter, and son-in-law, Mohammad Safdar, were also sentenced to seven years and one year, respectively, in a corruption case. The two are also out on bail.

Sharif denies the charges and accuses the "establishment” -- a term meant to designate the country's powerful army and a section of the judiciary -- of "targeting" his family.

In July 2017, he was disqualified by the Supreme Court for the Panama Papers scandal in which more than 11.5 million anonymously leaked documents detailing financial improprieties of more than 200,000 offshore entities, were taken from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. The documents contain personal financial information about wealthy individuals and public officials.

It led to the filing of three corruption cases.

Not long after, the top court also barred him from holding the leadership of his party.

Sharif served as premier in 1990-1992, 1997-1999, and 2013-2017, but was unable to complete even a single five-year term.

His two previous governments were dismissed for corruption charges and through a bloodless military coup in 1992 and 1999.