Update 3: Court declares 2 top Pakistani leaders ineligible

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif disclosed on Wednesday that President Asif Ali Zardari asked his brother Mian Shahbaz Sharif to strike a deal with the government over the issue of judiciary.

Addressing a press conference at Raiwind after an important PML (N) meeting, Nawaz said President Zardari offered Shahbaz Sharif a political deal when he invited him to a lunch at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

“President Zardari offered that we (Nawaz and Shahbaz) would be declared eligible by the Supreme Court if we accept the present judiciary including Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar,” Nawaz said.

“I would have accepted the deal if power had been more dear to me than principles, he said, adding, we have embraced our disqualification but will not compromise on the national interest.”

He further said it was difficult to predict the losses and future implications of the Supreme Court’s verdict.

The rulers have violated the promises made by the slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto with PML-N, he said.

The former prime minister said everybody knows where the verdict came from.

"I think the nation will have to rise against such actions. If not the country will be harmed by those who want to destroy Pakistan. We should save the country against potential dangers," he said.

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court three-member Bench, after prolonged hearing of Sharif brothers’ electoral eligibility case, finally declared here today the two brothers ineligible for contesting elections.

This case was under hearing of the SC three-member Bench headed by Justice Musa K. Laghari for the last eight months, in which, the Attorney General of Pakistan, Latif Khosa giving his arguments said that Punjab chief secretary and speaker were not the party in th case. Attorney General said that all the judges have taken oaths under the constitution and talking about the oath of the interim constitution was irrelevant.

He said that Nawaz Sharif’s proposer and seconder could become parties in the case if the court permits them and their becoming parties was not necessary. He further said that it was the discretion of the judge to withdraw from the Bench and no one could direct him to pull out.

On conclusion of the arguments, after a short break, the Bench disposing off the Sharif brothers’ eligibility case declared them ineligible.

ISLAMABAD: The three-member Bench of Supreme Court has disposed off Sharif brothers’ electoral eligibility case by declaring them ineligible for contesting elections in its two-line short order announced here.

Shahbaz Sharif under this verdict has lost his seat in the provincial assembly and being no longer member of the Punjab House, he is no more Punjab chief minister, as SC has annulled the earlier notification about his being chief minister.

This case was under hearing of the SC three-member Bench headed by Justice Musa K. Laghari for the last eight months, in which, the Attorney General of Pakistan, Latif Khosa giving his arguments said that Punjab chief secretary and speaker were not the party in the case. Attorney General said that all the judges have taken oaths under the constitution and talking about the oath of the interim constitution was irrelevant.

He said that Nawaz Sharif’s proposer and seconder could become parties in the case if the court permits them and their becoming parties was not necessary. He further said that it was the discretion of the judge to withdraw from the Bench and no one could direct him to pull out.

On conclusion of the arguments, after a short break, the Bench disposing off the Sharif brothers’ eligibility case declared them ineligible.

Following the verdict, Sharif brothers’ lawyer, Akram Sheikh told media that the decision was as expected, as the government was giving dictation to the judges. He said that Sharif brothers were declared ineligible on the orders of President Zardari. He said that the judges would be made accountable on the Day of Judgement. Akram Shiekh said that now it was up to the people to decide if the verdict was on merit. He said that he couldn’t comment on the incomplete two-line judgment. This decision would be presented as bouquet to President Asif Zardari on his return from the China tour.

ML-N workers in sizable number were present on the occasion of the announcement of verdict raising slogans in favour of long march and Sharif brothers. Security arrangement remain tightened in the capital city here.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Raja Zafarul Haq said on Wednesday that the party would stage countrywide protest against the Supreme Court verdict.

Talking to journalists here, he said the PML (N) would not accept the verdict given by PCO judges. Raja Zafarul Haq said the issue would be raised in the parliament.

ISLAMABAD: The chief of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali expressed disappointment on Sharif brothers’ ineligibility and said this should not be happened.

Talking to Geo News, Asfandyar Wali said national reconciliation is need of the hour and the decision is not positive for the country.