No compromise anymore on sanctity of vote, says Nawaz after Asif's ouster

ISLAMABAD - Following the disqualification of Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, apparently emotionally-driven former prime minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated his slogan of reviving the respect of the vote,

The supreme leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PM-N) addressing the party leaders in the capital city said no compromise would be made on the sanctity of the vote.

Urging the party leaders, Sharif called for mobilising the public for the cause of democracy, adding that Pakistan will not be put on the road to development until the vote was given due respect.

In the neighbouring country, India, every prime minister completed the term, but the situation in Pakistan was totally contrary to it, he lamented.

"Becoming prime minister for the third time was not less than an honour for me," Nawaz said, adding that disrespecting the Constitution of Pakistan should not continue anymore.

Talking about ongoing corruption trial in an accountability court, the renowned politician asked his supporters to not be disappointed if he was sent to jail.

The forme PM said that he had been respecting the state institutions as he had held rallies and long marches for the judiciary.

Earlier today, the Islamabad High Court dealt another blow to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz after it disqualified the country’s Foreign Minister for life in the disqualification case on Thursday.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif ... 11:22 AM | 26 Apr, 2018

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court dealt another blow to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz after it ...

Khawaja Asif, who is a central leader of PML-N and had contested elections from Sialkot in 2013, was declared ineligible unanimously for holding office, on account of Article 62 (1)(f) of the constitution in a case related to his foreign permit (iqama).

‘Khawaja Asif deliberately concealed his assets’ remarked the court in a short judgment announced by Justice Athar Minallah who headed a three-member larger bench.

The Islamabad High Court also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to de-notify the lawmaker and according to the judgment, Asif will be unable to hold public or party office.