The Lahore High Court has asked NAB to decide if the charges against Raja Pervaiz Ashraf are true. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
The Lahore High Court on Thursday conditionally allowed former prime minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to participate in the general elections.
Earlier, an election tribunal had rejected Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s nomination on account of his involvement in the rental power projects and a court of contempt case. The court decided that since Ashraf’s involvement in the cases had not yet been proven, the decision be immediately repealed. They were also asked to add Ashraf’s name in the list of candidates.
At the same time, the LHC has asked the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Election Commission to decide by 22 April if the charges levied against Raja Ashraf are true and if regulations of the Election Commission affect Raja Ashraf’s candidacy.
The verdict would eventually decide whether Ashraf is allowed to participate in the elections. If the decision doesn't rule in his favour, his name will be taken out from the list of candidates. In the event he is successful in the elections, the notification of his success would be suspended, the LHC ruled.
COMMENTS (20)
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@Afrooz: What a CRAP.
This makes me laugh out loud!! Is this a joke?? I feel like an idiot for having faith in the judiciary headed by Ch Iftikhar and the ECP headed by Fakhrudin albeit it was very little faith, nonetheless we should have known nothing is going to change in Pakistan. I were just fooling myself believing in incompetent leaders.
Ch Iftikhar has not delivered an ounce of benefit to the common man. Nothing at all, what was the point of the long march for the judiciary. He should have cleaned the judicial system so that at least we had competent and fair judges and good prosecutors. Thanks judge sb for nothing!!
The problem here is that none of the involved parties are completely free of guilt. Musharraf is dictator and a bully, who has time and again disrespected the elected govt and the constitution. Even his visit to Pakistan reeks of arrogance in his ability to escape from any conviction. Hence he deserves all that he gets.
On the other hand is the judiciary and the ECP, which has acted with partisan intent and politics. They have looked the other way when approving candidates who clearly do not meet the conditions of 62 and 63. Their interpretation of the law and implementation of it has been inconsistent to say the least. Hence this judiciary is not qualified to punish the dictator.
Best solution will be to let Musharraf contest the election, which he is bound to lose and then make sure that he meets his just end in the hands of the next elected government. This would be true justice. We need to make sure that he does not cut a deal with anyone and escape overseas this time around.
Why are we convinced of mr rajas guilt?? Because he is PPP ? Allegations against him are false and there is nothing unusual in prime ministers doing facours exactly the way previous goverments have done and will do, The scandles associated with judiciary are equalay unproven ?Can i say chief justice is not able to sit in the court because there are allegations against him?
The judiciary was responsible for much of Pakistans troubles and acts like this just endorse the fact.
What a joke with the people of Pakistan. The consequences of such travesty of justice will be tragic. These people are playing with the future if the country.
Very unfortunate decision by the LHC. First a covicted felon like Jamshed Dasti was allowed to contest polls. Now Raja Pervaiz. Its sad that Pakistan is a place where these people qualify as "Saadiq" and "Ameen"......
There is no end to Raja's lack of remorse!
we can never progress and come out of this dark shadow of corruption and corrupt individuals in position of importance....no body or institution can take them to task...our future is dark, no hope. Corruption and crooks prevail with support of all.
All of the above are back - bank/tax defaulters, land, forest, bhutta mafia, degree frauds, dual nationals, murderers, self exiles, waderas, water thieves, flood money eaters, laptop/bus gates, political corrupts, national ghaddaars, etc. Top of that, these are back on people's shoulders. Wait until when they will start sucking whatever is left there. What a nation with no self respect. There is no direction for this nation. The courts are taking decision just to negate each other. There is no clear and decisive decision. There is no change what so ever. This is all confusion and fraud.
Worst day for judiciary in Pakistan… One Pervaiz who is being alleged for corruptions of billons is given relief and another Pervaiz was ordered to put behind bars by including provision of ‘Terrorism’ in bail condition. For one Pervaiz the law is innocent until proven guilty and for the other Pervaiz the law is convict unless proven innocent.
Well decision, No one can be disqualified without conviction. Either court should convict him or should allow him to contest the election.
All ills of Pakistan lie with the judiciary. Time after time the judges have compromised their standing. Until the judiciary is not cleansed up, Pakistan will never progress. There are just too many ill educated and wrongly appointed justices.
Does any one believe that he is innocent Just look at all the orders he passed and money he doled out on the last day 16 March
He should be de-bared
there we go again. DEMOCRACY
So essentially "innocent until proven guilty". I agree with this in principle. So how come Musharraf was blocked under articles 6,62,63 even though these cases are pending?
Who is going to scrutinize the judiciary??
priminster of pakistan
The perpetual pendulum that is Pakistani politics. Never a dull moment.
I am so surprised :D