Relief for Pakistani politicians as top court ends lifetime disqualification

ISTANBUL

In a big relief for politicians in Pakistan, the top court of the South Asian nation on Monday ended lifetime disqualification of lawmakers.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan, however, ruled that convicted parliamentarians can be barred from holding public office for five years, according to a court order.

The judgement comes as a big relief for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was disqualified for life when his name appeared in the Panama Papers case.

He was disqualified from holding public office in 2017. The court found Sharif had been "dishonest to the parliament and the courts in not disclosing his employment" in a Dubai-based company in his 2013 election nomination papers, and thus, not fit for public office.

Monday’s court order has paved the way for Sharif to contest the Feb. 08 elections. Sharif returned to Pakistan from Britain late last year after spending years in self-imposed exile.

Sharif flew from jail, where he was languishing after being convicted in a corruption case, to the UK for “medical treatment” in 2019.

He was then declared an absconder for failing to appear in court.

In a post on X, the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) party of Sharif welcomed the judgment, saying: “This isn't just Nawaz Sharif's victory. This is a victory for truth and for Pakistan's future!!”