Senior PML-N leader Daniyal Aziz, who was today found guilty of contempt by the Supreme Court, was sentenced till the rising of the court.

Under Article 63(1)(g) of the Constitution, a lawmaker who has been "convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction" will be disqualified from being elected or chosen as a Parliamentarian "unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release".

Article 63:- Disqualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament):
(1) A person shall be disqualified from being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), if:-
(g) He has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction for propagating any opinion, or acting in any manner, prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan, or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality, or the maintenance of public order, or the integrity or independence of the judiciary of Pakistan, or which defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the Armed Forces of Pakistan, unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release

However, the firebrand former minister's counsel will reportedly file a review against the decision. If the Supreme Court's verdict is overturned in the review, Aziz, whose nomination papers for NA-77 were accepted, may still be able to contest the July 25 polls.

Aziz seems to have been prepared for the possibility that he may be disqualified. According to Geo News, the former minister told reporters after the ruling: "We had prepared for an SC verdict disqualifying me... My father has [also] submitted nomination papers and will contest the election on my behalf [in NA-77]."

Fun fact: Caretaker PM Nasirul Mulk had in 2012 headed the seven-judge bench which convicted ex-PM Yousaf Raza Gilani for contempt of court and handed him a 30-second sentence (until the rising of the bench), disqualifying him for running for Parliament for five years.

Opinion

Editorial

A dying light
Updated 23 Jan, 2025

A dying light

Objections to the 26th Amendment must be settled quickly for the Supreme Court's sake.
Controversial canals
23 Jan, 2025

Controversial canals

THE Punjab government’s contentious plans to build new canals to facilitate corporate farming in the province ...
Killjoys
23 Jan, 2025

Killjoys

THE skies over Lahore have fallen silent. Punjab’s latest legislation banning kite flying represents a troubling...
Errant ECP
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Errant ECP

THE ECP has once again earned a detailed reprimand from the Supreme Court. That it still refuses to correct course is ominous
Fast-tracking M6
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Fast-tracking M6

GRAND infrastructure projects in Pakistan often progress at the pace of a bullock cart rather than a bullet train....
Gwadar airport
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Gwadar airport

THE air connectivity established by the inauguration of PIA flights between Karachi and Gwadar is a major step...