In a historic move, Pakistan’s Supreme Court declared on Monday the abolition of lifetime bans preventing individuals with past convictions from participating in elections. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa announced the groundbreaking decision, paving the way for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to pursue a potential fourth term in office.
The ruling holds significant implications as it reshapes the political landscape just weeks ahead of the scheduled election on February 8. Sharif’s political party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), is now positioned as a leading contender, particularly with his primary rival, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, behind bars and barred from electoral participation for the next five years.
Sharif, aged 74, faced conviction in 2017 for dishonest practices. A subsequent Supreme Court ruling imposed a lifelong ban on individuals found guilty under specific constitutional provisions, including Sharif. Although Sharif was not directly involved in the recent legal challenge initiated by other disqualified politicians, the verdict renders him eligible for electoral competition, as more than five years have passed since his 2017 conviction.
In his decisive ruling, Chief Justice Isa emphasized, “It is beyond its scope,” signaling a departure from the previous restrictive stance on lifetime bans for convicted individuals seeking political office.
However, the ruling does not extend its benefits to Imran Khan, aged 71, whose party emerged victorious in the 2018 elections. The decision exclusively targets lifetime bans, leaving Khan disqualified until 2028, underscoring the nuanced nature of the legal transformation in the country’s electoral landscape.
