SC restores Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi's NA membership

27 Jan, 2016

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday annulled an Election Tribunal verdict and restored the National Assembly membership of Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi, a National Peoples Party candidate from NA-211.

The three-member bench, headed by Justice Saqib Nisar, heard the NA-211 Nowshero Feroz electoral case and referred the matter back to the Election Tribunal for reviewing the case.

Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi had won from NA-211 with National Peoples Party ticket. PPP candidate Zulfiqar Ali had challenged Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi degree, on which Election Tribunal had disqualified Jatoi over hiding of assets.

The apex court annulled tribunal's verdict that de-seated Federal Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi from National Assembly (NA) seat.

The court stated that Jatoi was not given his right to defend the alleged non-filing of taxes and details of assets during trial by the tribunal.

Justice Saqib remarked that university concerned had testified Jatoi's degree, how could the tribunal term it fake. Member of the National Assembly or any elected politician who conceals his assets should be dismissed from service however, Jatoi was not given the right to defend.

The Supreme Court has turned the case back to the tribunal for review.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2016

Read Comments