Khawaja Asif disqualified in a 'fixed' match, says Maryam

Political leaders react to the disqualification of PM-N leader

The Islamabad High Court on Thursday disqualified Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif from holding public office in a historic verdict.

Asif was disqualified under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution for  the non-disclosure of his employment as an occupation and the monthly salary he was receiving.

A three-member special bench, announcing the verdict, stated that Asif was not even qualified to contest polls in 2013. The court registrar was also directed to send a copy of the judgement to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the speaker of the national assembly to denotify Asif as member parliament.

As the news broke, many internet users from Pakistan took to the social media, and depending on their political allegiance, expressed shock, anger, joy and amusement at the verdict by IHC.

Senior leader of PML-N and daughter of former premier Nawaz Sharif said that Khawaja Asif was disqualified in a fixed match.

"Disqualify in a fixed match those you cannot face through the power of the vote. God willing, the people of Pakistan will vote for even the shadow of Khawaja Asif now," she tweeted.

جسکا ووٹ کے میدان میں مقابلہ نہیں کر سکتےاسکو فکسڈ میچ میں نا اہل کرا دو مگر یاد رکھو! عوام اب خواجہ آصف کے سائے کو بھی ووٹ دےگی انشاءالّلہ

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 26, 2018

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan likened the incumbent government to a mafia, and said that the disqualification had publicly humiliated the PML-N leader.

Another darbari of the Godfather disqualified on the same pattern - using iqama to shield corruption & indulge in money laundering - as well as being guilty of brazen conflict of interest. Allah Al Haq hai - Kh Asif targeted SKMTH & has been publicly humiliated here & abroad

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 26, 2018

PTI leader Usman Dar also weighed in on the matter.

"Today I am going to gift to my leader Imran Khan the iron rod of Ittefaq foundry that has been removed from Kh Asif's neck today at court". - @UdarOfficial#نااہل_خواجہ_اقامہ_آصف pic.twitter.com/dACUA8QwAi

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 26, 2018

The Twitter account of PTI South Punjab had an amusing take on the verdict.

Too much Na-Ehali in One Single Picture. 😂#KhawajaAsif pic.twitter.com/lP1vGxrIm7

— PTI South Punjab (@PTISPOfficial) April 26, 2018

PTI leader Babar Awan was of the opinion that the people won, and the mafia was defeated in the IHC sentence.

#نااہل_خواجہ_اقامہ_آصف@BabarAwanPK pic.twitter.com/VCGYKRw0Sy

— Team Babar Awan (@TeamBabarAwan) April 26, 2018

PTI leader Shireen Mazair praised Usman Dar for taking the case to its conclusion.

Admirable persistence by Usman Dar, pursuing the case for years to see it to its logical conclusion! https://t.co/46EWJ5nXoG

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 26, 2018

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said Asif wanted to stash wealth abroad through his work permit.

Their Iqama is only to hide their wealth abroad that they earn through commissions in mega corruption projects. - @fawadchaudhry#نااہل_خواجہ_اقامہ_آصف

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 26, 2018

Former minister Firdous Ashiq Awan sought to 'congratulate' the nation over the disqualification of Asif.

Congratulations to whole nation for another courageous decision by the judiciary against corrupt mafia. The reason why #KhawajaAsif shamelessly defended #SharifFamily is clear now. Chor tabar k darbari bhi chor.

— Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousAwan) April 26, 2018

PTI spokesperson also tweeted, and congratulated Usman Dar for pursuing the case.

Well done, @UdarOfficial - you're a tiger of PTI! ✌🏻

Your tenacity, focus and passion brought this glory for #PTI..

As the politics of the disgraced #KhawajaAsif reaches an unceremonious end, it's times of rejoicing and celebrations especially for the people of #Sialkot! pic.twitter.com/cmu9RjN0X4

— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) April 26, 2018