Pakistan Bars Ex-PM Ashraf From Contesting Elections

Islamabad, April 17, IRNA – Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf, has been barred from contesting elections for being dishonest, elections officials said. The candidature of Ashraf was challenged on the plea that he had misused discretionary funds in his constituency in Rawalpindi district near the capital Islamabad. The nomination papers were rejected on the basis of alleged corruption in awarding of a contract and in the purchase of Rental Power Projects, and showing contempt to the top court. Asharf’s rival had approached the local election authorities for disqualifying him from contesting elections as the country’s constitution does not allow corrupts to stand for polls. The local election officer had rejected his nomination papers. However he had appealed to an election tribunal in a High Court, which also rejected his appeal late Monday. The former Prime Minister was also accused of elevating his two son-in-laws on high posts which were described as glaring examples of nepotism, favoritism and naked corruption. Ashraf’s defense lawyer said that an appeal would be filed in the Supreme Court against the tribunal’s decision. Asharf was the second former Pakistani Prime Minister barred from contesting the may 11 elections. The Supreme Court has also disqualified Yusuf Raza Gilani after he was unseated following his refusal to accept the court orders to send a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Zardari. Ashraf, leader of Pakistan Peoples Party, was elected Prime Minister last year after Gilani was removed by the Supreme Court. Earlier, Ashraf’s defence lawyer, senator Farooq H Naek appeared before the two-member tribunal and requested that the order of the local election authorities should be overturned. Naek contended that the nomination papers of his client were wrongly rejected as he never misused discretionary powers to allocate development funds for his constituency. He said Ashraf has the legal and constitutional right to contest the general elections./end