Daniyal Aziz retracts petition against his disqualification

ISLAMABAD: In a surprising move, former Federal Minister Daniyal Aziz withdrew his petition against the Supreme Court verdict declaring him disqualified from holding public office in a contempt of court case.

As per reports, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) was reluctant to share his reason behind the unexpected decision.

An apex court bench on June 28 declared the erstwhile minister for privatization ineligible to contest elections.

The court ruled that Daniyal Aziz has committed contempt. The verdict also stated that the former federal minister is not eligible to contest the 2018 General Election.

Prior to the conduct of General Elections in Pakistan, while speaking to Reuters, Aziz gave a broad hint that establishment forces were behind his disqualification.

“Pakistan’s history in terms of using state institutions to manage political processes are well known … and the hope and prayer was that we had moved beyond that and the facts are before you,” Aziz told Reuters.

Contempt Trial

The Supreme Court had issued a show-cause notice to Daniyal Aziz in February over his “controversial speeches and statements made during television shows”.

He was indicted on contempt charges by the bench on March 13.

The court had reserved its verdict in the case on May 3 after the prosecution and defence sides completed their arguments.

The former federal minister, who had defended former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family at media during the Panama Papers case last year, has been awarded a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ticket to contest the July 25 general election from NA-77, Narowal-I.