Length of disqualification: No representative of Sharif expected to attend hearing

SC proceedings to determine whether disqualification is lifelong or time-specific

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has yet to take a decision on becoming party to proceedings of the Supreme Court larger bench which is set to determine the time-period of disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution today (Tuesday).

Sources revealed to The Express Tribune that no one will appear on behalf of Sharif on Tuesday because the decision will be taken after consultations with the party’s Central Executive Committee leaders as well as observing the outcome of Monday’s hearing.



A senior PML-N leader said the SC’s notice in this matter was received late, therefore, no decision could be finalised, adding that the senior party leaders will decide after mulling any possible political repercussions.

The party leader said that Sharif held a meeting with close aides on Monday evening, wherein it is decided that no one will appear before the larger bench on his behalf.

Sources also said that PML-N’s lawyers are expected to be in the courtroom to observe proceedings.

Recently, Sharif said in Jaranwala that he has no concern about the decision of the larger bench on the time duration of disqualification.

The  five-judge larger bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, is going to take up several cases related to the disqualification of parliamentarians.

The bench will determine whether their disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) is perpetual. The court on Sunday issued notices to Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen to appear in person or through counsel for hearings in the matter, if so advised.

Legal experts believe that the proceedings will be significant because they will decide the fate of several parliamentarians, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Sharif and Jahangir Tareen, who have been disqualified under the said article on the charges of concealing their assets in their nomination papers as election candidates.



Lawyers believe these parliamentarians may get relief if the Supreme Court declares that disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) is time-specific.

At present, former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s judgments are in force, holding that disqualification under the article is for life. However, some earlier verdicts did not envisage permanent disqualification.