ECP declares Qureshi ineligible to contest polls for five years

Decision comes days after ex-FM was awarded 10 years imprisonment in the high-profile cypher case

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday declared former foreign minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi ineligible to contest elections for five years.

The announcement comes days after a special court, established under the Official Secrets Act, awarded Qureshi 10 years imprisonment in the high-profile cypher case, along with former prime minister Imran Khan.

The court, presided by Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain, announced the verdict during the hearing held within the premises of Rawalpindi's Adiala jail.

Read more: Imran, Qureshi sentenced to 10-year imprisonment in cypher case

“In pursuance of the judgment dated 30th January, 2024, handed down by the Judge, Special Court (Official Secret) Camp Court at Central Prison Rawalpindi in Case No. 01 of 2023 titled as "The State versus Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi and Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi", whereby Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has been held guilty u/s 5(3)(a), 5(1)(c) punishable u/s 5(3)(b) of OSA, 5(1)(d) Punishable u/s 5(3)(b) of OSA and Section 9 of the OSA read with 34 PPC and has been held guilty in light of charge u/s 5(3)(a) of the OSA, 1923 read with section 34 PPC and convicted and sentenced u/s 5(3)(a) read with section 34 PPC and convicted and sentenced u/s 5(3)(a) read with section 34 PPC and punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term of 10 years, guilty in light of charge u/s 9 read with section 5(3)(a) of OSA, 1923 and is convicted and sentenced u/s 5(3)(a) of OSA, 1923 with rigorous imprisonment for a term of 10-years. All the supra mentioned sentences shall run concurrently,” ECP notification, available with The Express Tribune, stated.

It added that any convicted individual, in accordance with the Constitution and the law, cannot participate in elections.

“As a consequence, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017. Therefore, Mr Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi is disqualified to contest General Elections-2024 and any subsequent elections for a period of five years.”