PML-N candidate given life sentence days before election

Hanif Abbasi, center, a nominated candidate of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) party for upcoming general election, takes a cup of tea as he waiting an anti-narcotics court decision at a district court in Rawalpindi, Pakistan July 21, 2018. (REUTERS)

• Hanif Abbasi was contesting the July 25 general election against Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid in the Rawalpindi NA-60 constituency
• Abbasi had failed to provide evidence that the ephedrine was used for pharmaceutical purposes, said the Control of Narcotic Substances court

ISLAMABAD: A court on Saturday handed a life sentence to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Hanif Abbasi for misusing the controlled chemical ephedrine.
Abbasi and his supporters were in the courtroom during the verdict. He was to have contested the July 25 general election against Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid in the Rawalpindi NA-60 constituency.
Abbasi had failed to provide evidence that the ephedrine was used for pharmaceutical purposes, said the Control of Narcotic Substances court, which had been hearing the case since 2012. Critics are questioning the timing of the verdict, just four days before the election.