Nawaz Sharif decides not to become part of proceedings challenging Election Act 2017

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that he would not become part of the proceedings challenging his re-election as party chief, following the passing of the Election Act 2017.

A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan resumed hearing of petitions challenging the Election Act 2017.

During the course of proceedings, Advocate Azam Nazeer Tarar counsel for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif appeared before the bench and informed that his client had decided not to take part in the court proceedings, because he felt that PML-N had elected him as the head and it was a matter of his party and parliament to defend that law.

The former premier in his reply stated that the matter would have far-reaching consequences relating to the country's politics and it had been taken up by the court on the motion of many other affected parties. He added that his participation in the case might bring prejudice to the proceedings.

The chief justice remarked the court would proceed ex-parte in case Nawaz Sharif did not become part of the proceedings. He, however, offered that if the counsel desired, he could join the proceedings at any time.

PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq appeared in court today on behalf of his party and was represented by counsel Salman Akram Raja.