Pakistan’s apex court ruled Friday individual declared dishoest and not righteous by it will not henceforth be qualified to hold public office and remain away from politics for life.
The verdict read out by Justice Umar Ata Bandial of a five-member bench noted, “Such a person cannot contest elections or become a member of Parliament.”
The bench was headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and he observed people deserved to have good leaders whose character is good too.
The decision of Supreme Court now raises doubts about the duration of disqualification of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last year from office as he didn’t disclose his wealth and assets ahead of 2013 general elections. He failed to reveal about the income received from his son’s UAE company then.
Similarly senior leader of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jehangir Khan Tareen, too cannot contest elections and actively participate in politics. He was disqualified last year for failing to declare his UK assets to tax authorities.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution members of Parliament need to be honest as well as righteous. The clause was included by former military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq in March 1985. In 2009 and 2010 removal of the same was propose by ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Sharif opposed believing it would upset the military establishment.
Sharif is also facing several corruption cases and if found guilty could land in jail for 21 years.
Leader in Opposition in National Assembly, Khurshed Shah, said Sharif has been caught in his own trap.
