ECP disqualifies Shah Mahmood Qureshi for five years after cipher case verdict
Pakistan
The development came after he was awarded 10 years jail term in cipher case
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Election Commission of Pakistan has disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi to contest elections for five years after his conviction in the cipher case.
The electoral watchdog has issued a notification in this regard, stating that the former foreign minister has been punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term of 10 years after he was found guilty in the case.
“As a consequence, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017. Therefore, Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi is disqualified to contest General Elections-2024 and any subsequent elections for a period of five years,” read the notification.
On January 30, the PTI founder and his close associate Shah Mehmood Qureshi were sentenced to 10-year rigorous imprisonment in the cipher case, as the special court established under the Official Secrets Act announced its verdict in the keenly-observed episode.
The short verbal verdict was announced soon after recording the statements of the two accused under Section 342 during the hearing at the Adiala jail.
Read More: PTI founder and Qureshi awarded 10-year jail term in cipher case
