SC dismisses petition against Gilani’s candidature

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s candidature in the upcoming election.

A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, was hearing a case related to electoral matters. The petition stated that Gilani’s wife had written off loans and so he should be disqualified.

The court also permitted Rana Asif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate for NA-105 Faisalabad, to contest election, but said the notification, in case of election victory, is conditional with the apex court order. Asif had concealed his wife’s assets in the nomination papers, the court said.

Additionally, the SC disqualified Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s candidate for NA-145, Rana Zahid Hussain, and independent candidate for PP from Pakpattan, Javed Akhtar, from contesting the election. PTI candidate for BP-13 Faiq Jamali was also disqualified from the race.