Nawaz Sharif's Political Future Hangs in the Balance as Supreme Court Weighs Disqualification Term
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Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan on Oct 21 and has since been acquitted in the Avenfield and Al Azizia cases. However, his disqualification period remains unclear.
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The Supreme Court disqualified Sharif for life in 2018 under Article 62(1)(f). Parliament amended the Elections Act in 2023 to limit disqualification to 5 years.
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A Supreme Court bench will decide in January 2024 whether the Election Act amendment overrides the court's previous life disqualification.
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If the amendment stands, Sharif's disqualification ended in 2022. If not, a constitutional amendment would be needed to reduce disqualification.
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While cleared of other charges, Sharif's political rehabilitation depends on the Supreme Court resolving this issue before the 2024 election.