DATE=6/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK/ SHARIF (L)
NUMBER=2-263083
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  Pakistan's deposed prime minister, Nawaz 
Sharif, has been indicted on charges of corruption.  
Along with today's (Friday's) indictment, another 
court agreed to consider a prosecution request to 
convert Mr. Sharif's previous life sentence to death, 
on charges of hijacking and terrorism.  From 
Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.

TEXT:  A special anti-corruption court has formally 
charged Nawaz Sharif with tax evasion in connection 
with the purchase of a helicopter.  The former 
Pakistani prime minister has been accused of importing 
the Russian-made helicopter -- worth more than one-
million dollars -- and not declaring it on his tax 
returns.

Mr. Sharif says the charges against him are "bogus" 
and "cooked-up."  His former anti-corruption chief, 
Saifur Rehaman, also is named in the indictment.  If 
convicted, the two men could face a maximum sentence 
of 14 years in prison, plus disqualification from 
holding any public office for 21 years.

The court, set up in a 16th-century fort near 
Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, will begin a regular 
hearing next Friday.  The government says the trial 
will be held at the fort for security reasons.

Defense lawyers boycotted Friday's proceedings, saying 
they have been denied access to their client.

The case against Mr. Sharif is one of dozens the 
military government in Pakistan is pursuing in its 
efforts to clean up widespread corruption, which it 
says has undermined the country's political 
institutions.  The government has given sweeping 
powers to a National Accountability Bureau to do the 
job.

Meanwhile, another court in Karachi has agreed to hear 
an appeal by the military government, seeking the 
death penalty for Mr. Sharif on charges of hijacking 
and terrorism.  The court will hear the appeal on June 
12th.

A special anti-terrorism court last month sentenced 
the former prime minister to life in prison on charges 
of hijacking and terrorism, which stem from the 
military coup that ousted Mr. Sharif last October.   
(Signed)

NEB/AG/LTD/WTW



02-Jun-2000 09:49 AM EDT (02-Jun-2000 1349 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.