Disqualification of Dasti: LHC overrules office objection

The Lahore High Court here on Tuesday overruled an objection put by the court office on a petition demanding disqualification of Member of National Assembly Jamshed Ahmad Dasti. Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza took up the petition as an "objection case" and set aside the office's objection. The judge directed the office to fix the petition before any appropriate bench for its disposal in accordance with the law.
A voter of the constituency NA-178, Muzaffargarh, Farooq Khan, contended that the Supreme Court had disqualified Dasti on the basis of holding a fake graduation degree. However, he said, the returning officer ignored this fact and the respondent was elected to the National Assembly again. The petitioner said Dasti did not qualify to be a member of parliament under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution. He therefore prayed to the court to declare the respondent from being member parliament.