Supreme Court of Pakistan has put together a team of seven judges to examine a case related to the permanent disqualification of politicians under Article 62(1)(f) of the country’s constitution.
The seven-member team, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, includes Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, and Justice Musarrat Hilali. They are scheduled to review the case on Tuesday at 11:30 am.
This case revolves around the lifetime disqualification of political leaders, such as Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen, who were barred from holding public office in 2017 under Article 62(1)(f).
Understanding Article 62(1)(f): Article 62 of the Constitution of Pakistan outlines the qualifications required for lawmakers, while Article 63 details the disqualifications. Article 62(1)(f) specifically states that a person cannot be elected or chosen as a member of Parliament unless they are sagacious, righteous, non-profligate, honest, and Ameen, with no contrary declaration by a court of law.
What makes disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) severe is that it is a lifetime ban. Unlike disqualifications under other laws, which may last for five years, the ban under Article 62(1)(f) is permanent.
Nawaz Sharif’s Disqualification: In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that Nawaz Sharif did not meet the criteria of being honest and Ameen because he concealed potential income from his son’s firm. Despite an acquittal and recent changes in laws reducing disqualification periods to five years, there is ongoing debate about whether Nawaz Sharif can hold public office.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders argue that despite his acquittal, Nawaz Sharif remains disqualified from public office and cannot become a member of parliament or prime minister.
The upcoming review by the Supreme Court will shed light on the interpretation and application of Article 62(1)(f) in the context of political leadership in Pakistan.