Pakistan ex-President Musharraf disqualified for elections

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-4-16 19:29:39

Courts in Pakistan have disqualified former President Pervez Musharraf for contesting parliamentary elections for suspending the constitution and imposing emergency in 2007 during his rule, lawyers said Tuesday.

Musharraf wanted to stand for a National Assembly seat from four constituencies including capital Islamabad but his nomination papers were rejected by the election authorities.

He had filed appeals against rejections of papers by the local election authorities in three areas Karachi, Kasur in Punjab province and Islamabad, but his appeals were also rejected in the Election Tribunals, comprising judges of high courts.

Musharraf's papers were only accepted in the northern Chitral district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, however, his political rivals had challenged acceptance of papers.

A three-member Election Tribunal on Tuesday accepted objections by Musharraf's rivals and disqualified him for contesting election from Chitral.

Lawyers of the rival candidates said that Musharraf had abrogated the constitution and that he is also facing cases in courts and is not-eligible to stand for the parliamentary seat.

They also argued that Chitral is a peaceful area and Musharraf's election could create law and order problem.

Pakistani Taliban in a video have warned to attack Musharraf.

Mushararf, who ruled Pakistan 1999-2008, was disqualified a day after he announced election manifesto of his All Pakistan Muslim League party.

Legal experts say that Musharraf has the right to appeal in the Supreme Court.


blog comments powered by Disqus