SC asks PTI Balochistan chief to furnish evidence in disqualification case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind, the president of the Balochistan chapter of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to furnish evidence in a petition challenging his disqualification over alleged fake degree.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed was hearing the petition in Islamabad.

Last year, the appellate tribunal barred Rind from contesting elections for concealing an FIR registered against him and submitting a ‘fake’ master’s degree. Later, when Rind went to the Balochistan High Court, a two-member bench upheld the tribunal’s judgment and then he approached the top court.

On July 6, the apex court allowed the PTI leader to contest the 2018 general elections.

During the course of the hearing today, Justice Saeed questioned the lawyer if Rind went to the election tribunal to have his grievance addressed, to which he responded that it didn’t entertain his plea on the ground that it was already being heared by the court.

Observing that the bench would decide the case on the basis of evidence, the judge further asked the counsel if he submitted documentary evidence to support his claim.

The lawyer admitted that the appellate tribunal had mentioned a lack of evidence in the case.

If Rind had to prove his case, then he would have to submit evidence, stressed Justice Saeed.

Adjourning the hearing for three weeks, the court directed the PTI leader’s lawyer to submit evidence until the next hearing.