Supreme Court dismisses Khawaja Asif’s disqualification

Islamabad (Pakistan Point News – 1st June, 2018) The Supreme Court on Friday announced the verdict on Khawaja Asif disqualification case.

Former foreign minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Khawaja Asif had challenged Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision disqualifying him in the Supreme Court.

According to the SC verdict, Khawaja Asif will be allowed to contest elections.

A three-member Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandyal, resumed the hearing of the case against the Islamabad High Court on Thursday.

Justice Umer Ata Bandiyal questioned the counsel for Usman Dar, the petitioner in main case whether Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution would be applicable on violation of laws that bounds all parliamentarians to submit details of annual return.

Justice Faisal Arab remarked that it is not necessary that a parliamentarian would be disqualified on non fulfillment of every legal obligation.

The counsel for Usman Dar said that there are instances where lawmakers have been disqualified for holding two passports and for even declaring payables. Subsequently, the bench adjourned further hearing of case till June 1.

On April 26, Khawaja Asif was disqualified by the Islamabad High Court on the basis of holding an Abu Dhabi Iqama (work permit).

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Usman Dar had filed the petition seeking disqualification of Asif for concealing the facts that he was an Iqama holder, legal advisor of a company in UAE and his recent labour card was issued on June 29, 2017.

Khawaja Asif on the other hand took a view that he concealed nothing and his Iqama was declared in the nomination paper.