SC annuls IHC's disqualification verdict against Khawaja Asif

The Supreme Court (SC) suspended on Friday Islamabad High Court's (IHC) verdict that disqualified former Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif for life.

The three-judge bench, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandyal, resumed the hearing of the case. The bench announced its verdict against Asif's plea, which had challenged the IHC decision in disqualifying him for life.

The Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz leader can contest in the general elections which are scheduled to be held on July 25.

The top court observed on Thursday that it would examine the case in depth as it is a matter of lifetime disqualification of a person.

SC questions Khawaja Asif’s lifetime disqualification

On April 26, the IHC had disqualified Asif for concealing his UAE iqama (work permit) in his nomination papers. A petition had been filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar. In his petition, he stated that Asif had concealed an UAE iqama in his nomination papers and should be disqualified.

Asif had, however, denied and had submitted the letter of a UAE-based International Mechanical and Electrical company’s letter in the court, which stated that Asif had never served as full-time employee of the firm.

Following the IHC verdict, Asif announced that he would challenge the high court's verdict and filed an application in the SC.