Supreme Court dismisses disqualification plea against Sheikh Rasheed

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed over alleged concealment of assets.

The three-judge bench headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed announced a 2-1 split verdict in the case. Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah were other two members of the bench.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Shakeel Awan had filed a petition who coincidentally lost the 2013 general election to Rasheed claiming that the AML chief hasn’t fully declared his assets in his nomination papers.

“I knew that I haven’t done anything wrong and I had honestly declared all my assets in the nomination papers Rasheed said after the verdict announced. “Thanks to God that he bestowed me with respect again.”

Rasheed, who was present at the apex court early in the morning, had earlier said that he was willing to accept whatever verdict the Supreme would deliver.

“I hope that the verdict will be in my favor, but whatever the decision, I will accept it,” he said

Petitioner Shakeel Awan’s counsel argued in the case that according to the Representation of People’s Act (RoPA), it was necessary to accurately declare all of one’s assets before contesting elections.

Rasheed’s counsel contended  before the court that the AML Chief did not conceal anything and admitted that his client has already accepted the error made in valuing his assets.

The SC bench ruled 2-1 split verdict in Sheikh Rasheed’s favor, with Justice Isa writing the dissenting note and recommending that the case should be sent to a full court for further hearing.