Politics
21:30, 21-Feb-2018
Pakistani Supreme Court disqualifies Nawaz Sharif from being PML-N chief
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The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday disqualified former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from being the chief of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying that all decisions made by him as party chief would also stand null and void.
According to the local Urdu Dunya TV, a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar gave the decision against the Elections Act 2017, which was passed by the parliament, that paved the way for Sharif to resume his position as party chief following his disqualification from public office.
The chief justice said that a person who is disqualified under the Constitution of the country is not eligible to sign any document that is needed to nominate someone to the National Assembly or Senate.
Supporters of ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif surround Sharif's car as he arrives to appear before an accountability court to face corruption charges in Islamabad on Nov. 15, 2017. /VCG Photo
Supporters of ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif surround Sharif's car as he arrives to appear before an accountability court to face corruption charges in Islamabad on Nov. 15, 2017. /VCG Photo
Sharif was disqualified by an apex court in a corruption case last year for failing to declare his assets as being the prime minister of the country.
The upcoming elections of Pakistan's Senate are scheduled for March 3 and will likely be affected by the apex court's decision, the reports said.
Faisal Chaudhry, a lawyer who pleaded against Nawaz Sharif, believes that the candidates of the ruling PML-N are also not eligible to contest the senate polls, because, with the Wednesday's judgment, the court has ruled tickets issued by Sharif for the senate elections are also considered illegal.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency