News @ 3 - 28th June 2018

ISLAMABAD: A Supreme Court of Pakistan bench on Thursday declared former federal minister for privatization Daniyal Aziz disqualified to contest elections.

A three-judge bench of the top court headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, announced its decision today in a suo motu proceeding of Aziz’s anti-judiciary remarks, being heard since February this year.

The security was stepped up at the top court of the country this morning ahead of the verdict.

Justice Mushir Alam, who was part of the original bench, was given the verdict for reading out.

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.

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.