The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea of former Balochistan minister Mir Faiq Jamali seeking to contest elections. A bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed Khosa ruled that Mir Faiq Jamali could not contest polls until November 28, 2026.
Counsel for Jamali argued that his client had completed his jail sentence in October 2013 in a NAB case and he could now contest the elections.
Justice Khosa said that Faiq Jamali completed his jail sentence but the accountability court had also imposed Rs 60 million fine on him. “A person who completes his punishment under the accountability law stands disqualified for 10 years after completing the sentence,” the CJP said.
“Your client completed jail sentence but didn’t pay the fine,” the CJP told the lawyer. “My client paid his fine on November 29, 2016,” the counsel for Mir Faiq Jamali replied.
His period of 10-year disqualification began after payment of the fine, the CJP said. “He can contest elections after 2026,” Justice Khosa said.
Forced retirement
Separately, the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry on Monday reserved its verdict on a petition against forced retirement of a police officer over his alleged criminal record. A bench of SC Karachi Registry heard a petition filed by former inspector Syed Naveed Nasir against his obligatory retirement.
Naveed Nasir, a police officer, was forced to retire by the Sindh government over his alleged criminal record and his involvement in incidents of targeted killings, smuggling and mugging, besides supporting the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). Sindh Additional Advocate-General (SAAG) argued that the government had taken action against Nasir based on his criminal record. According to a joint investigation team (JIT) report, Nasir assisted target killers and was also accused of providing assistance in a bank robbery.
“The officer was forced to take retirement when the allegations against him proved right,” the AAG said.
The counsel for the retired police officer said that his client had been forced to get retired with malicious objectives. He requested the court for restoration of his job.
