ECP could yet decide on Gilani's disqualification: Justice Kayani

Justice (retired) Riaz Kiani says they will take a decision in light of the orders of Supreme Court, Constitution.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had breathed a sigh of relief when the Speaker National Assembly ruled that his conviction for contempt did not equate to disqualification. However, he was given fresh reasons to worry when on Wednesday Justice (retd) Riaz Kiani of the Election Commission said that the body could yet make a decision on the Prime Minister’s disqualification.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza that the Prime Minister, despite being convicted for contempt did not stand disqualified.

On Wednesday, Express News reported that Justice Kiani, a member of the Election Commission had suggested that since the matter of the disqualification has been presented before the court, the commission will deliberate on the status of Gilani in light of a verdict issued by the apex court, and the Constitution.

The PML-N and PTI had filed petitions in the Supreme Court against National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza’s ruling in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s contempt verdict, Express News had reported on Monday.

PML-N’s petition was filed to the through MNA Khawaja Muhammad Asif. Asif has made Gilani and the Law ministry secretary respondents in the petition.

An earlier report in the The Express Tribune had revealed that the main points of the petition stated that the National Assembly Speaker’s ruling was tantamount to subverting the principles of democracy, equality, and the independence of the judiciary.

It added that Dr Fehmida’s decision was a “complete violation of the Constitution” and demanded urgent redress under Article 184 (3). The petition further argued that the fundamental right to life, guaranteed by the Constitution, is defined not merely by a physical state but the right to a fulfilling life, including the right to live in a society where the decisions of the SC are enforced.