Sheikh Rasheed appeals SC for early hearing of petition against Nawaz

ISLAMABAD (INP): Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan for an early hearing of his petition against Nawaz Sharif holding the presidency of his party.

“There is grave urgency in the matter since Nawaz Sharif notwithstanding the fact that having been disqualified by the apex court, upon the strength of the new law i.e section 203 of the Election Act, 2017, has been elected as a party head,” his application read.

Petition filed by the party chief last month contended that Section 203 of the Election Act, 2017, did not expressly permit any person disqualified by any court of law to remain as or to become an office-bearer of a political party.

“Disqualification recorded by a court of law under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot be overtaken by sub-constitutional law and if a person cannot become parliamentarian because of the operation of constitutional law, he surely cannot become the head or an office-bearer of a political party, ” the petition had said.

Soon after the Panamagate verdict, the Election Bill 2017 was approved by the Senate and had been subsequently signed into law by President Mamnoon Hussain. A controversial clause in the bill allows disqualified politicians to hold a public office or to lead a political party. Section 203 of the Electoral Reforms Bill 2017 allows every citizen, except for government servants, to form a political party or become its office-bearer.

The AML chief urged the top court to hear his petition at the earliest, saying not doing so will cause losses to the nation.

“It is most respectfully prayed that the chamber appeal may kindly be fixed on 8.11.2017, failing which immense loss, damage and adversity shall be caused to the appellant, so also to the people at large,” the AML chief wrote in his application to SC,” he wrote.