AMN
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif was on Thursday disqualified as a Member of the Parliament by the High Court in Islamabad for concealing details of his UAE work permit while contesting elections in 2013.
A three-member special bench of the Islamabad High Court announced the verdict on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar.
The petitioner had sought disqualification of the foreign minister under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution for holding an Iqama (work permit) of the UAE.
Dar, who lost election against Asif in 2013, had challenged the qualification of Asif, as the member of Parliament for not declaring his job and salary while contesting the polls.
The bench unanimously ruled that Asif was not truthful and honest. Asif will be unable to hold public or party office after the verdict.
Asif is one of top leaders of ruling Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz and his disqualification is considered a huge blow to the party ahead of election scheduled to be held after June.