News @ 3 - 2nd - May 2018

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior member Khawaja Asif Wednesday challenged the Islamabad High Court’s verdict to disqualify him for life in Supreme Court.

The former foreign minister in his petition filed in the apex court, stated that he unintentionally failed to disclose his foreign work permit in his election nomination papers that led the Islamabad court to give the decision against him.

“In observing the facts and circumstances of the case, the use of the term ‘business’ while addressing ‘occupation’ does not necessarily imply suppression or concealment of employment,” his petition said.

“The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was not justified when it declared lack of honesty in relation to the non-disclosure of the dormant bank account,” the petition said. In relation to the non-disclosure of the dormant bank account, the IHC bench had gone beyond the pleadings of the petitioner.”

While addressing the party rally in Sialkot on Tuesday, Asif announced that he had decided to challenge the disqualification decision against him.

“I had declared my account and iqama even before I retired.”

He further added that he has high hopes for justice from the Supreme Court.

“I have served people since last 28 years. If I am not able to contest the elections then someone else will contest in my place,” said Asif, adding that no entity can stop him from serving as a political worker.

“At least 92,000 votes were cast in favour of me during last general elections,” Asif added while addressing the crowd.

He said “People will again vote in favour of the PML-N in 2018 as well”

On April 26, Asif was disqualified under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution for non-disclosure of his employment in a UAE company and monthly salary in his nomination papers over a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar, by IHC’s larger bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani .