The Supreme Court of Pakistan struck down the Review of Judgments Act on Friday. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) chief Jahangir Tareen got a big relief from this law.
After the Review of Judgments Act, Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen could have approach the Supreme Court against disqualification. After the court verdict, the question is whether Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen will be able to contest the elections.
Under the repealed law, they had the right to appeal against decisions under Article 184/3.
In 2017, the Supreme Court sentenced both to life disqualification. Article 184/3 which is also known as the clause of suo motu notice, provides that the convicted persons cannot appeal anywhere.
However, there is an opinion that the latest decision of the Supreme Court will not affect them much.
This is due to another law passed by Parliament.
On June 17, Parliament passed the Elections Act Amendment Act, 2017, under which the life sentence of disqualification has been abolished and the maximum period of disqualification has been fixed at 5 years.
