August 14, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 11, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: A lawyer contended before the Supreme Court on Wednesday that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had virtually accepted an order of the Lahore High Court, barring him from contesting a by-election, by not challenging it in the apex court.

A bench comprising Justice Mohammad Moosa K. Leghari, Justice Syed Zawwar Hussain Jaffery and Justice Sheikh Hakim Ali initiated discussion on the maintainability of the federal government’s petitions against the LHC order of June 23.

Dr Mubeenuddin Qazi, representing Noor Ellahi, an independent candidate, questioned the maintainability of the government’s appeals, arguing that neither was it a necessary party nor had any right to approach the court on behalf of the aggrieved person.

He said the aggrieved party (Mr Sharif) had practically accepted the decision of the high court by not challenging his disqualification.

On a court query as to why the government could not appeal when it was a respondent in the matter before the high court, Dr Qazi stated that the federal government was not a party to the extent of filing appeals.

Despite repeated requests, the aggrieved party had failed to present documents regarding the candidate’s claim that his sentence had been pardoned by the president. He alleged that Mr Sharif was a defaulter and a convict.

Deputy Attorney-General Raja Abdur Rehman said a candidate who had twice served as the prime minister should be allowed to contest the by-election from NA-123 in Lahore.

The court adjourned further proceedings to Aug 26.