Pakistan’s former PM sentenced to 7 years for corruption

A Pakistani anti-graft tribunal sentences former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to seven years in prison for corruption, drawing criticism from his party, which says the decision is a “black stain” on the justice system.

The verdict comes after Sharif was removed from power last year over corruption allegations. Sharif, who was serving his third stint as prime minister, has denied any wrongdoing.

He is accused of possessing assets beyond his known sources of income, and was arrested after the ruling was announced.

He can appeal the verdict, under which he is also fined $25 million for not disclosing how his family set up the Al-Azizia Steel Mills when he was exiled to Saudi Arabia by Pervez Musharraf, a former dictator who toppled Sharif’s government in 1999.

— AP