Disqualification of Senator Rind: Supreme Court adjourns hearing of petition

During the hearing of a constitutional petition for disqualification of Senator Muhammad Ali Rind, the Supreme Court (SC) raised the question whether conviction of a person was tantamount to disqualification form taking part in elections. A three-member bench headed by Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan was hearing a petition for disqualification of Senator Mir Muhammad Ali Rind by Obaidullah and others here on Monday.
Senior Advocate Iftikhar Hussain Gilani while representing Rind before the bench contended that his client's disqualification period from Senate was over on June 28 whereas the instant petition was filed on August 25, 2011. Gilani pleaded that Obaidullah has no locus standi in the case because he was not the opposing candidate, adding that if some body is convicted by a court of law, his conviction would not considered to be final until the decision of the apex court. The bench observed that Senator Muhammad Ali Rind was sentenced for 10 years, thus Articles 62 and 63, which deal with the disqualification, were applicable in this situation. The court adjourned the hearing till September 21.