SC disqualifies PML-N's Sumaira Malik in fake degree case

E-Paper | February 28, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday disqualified Member of National Assembly Sumaira Malik of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) over the possession of a fake degree and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to take necessary action in this regard, DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry issued the ruling against the lawmaker who was formerly a member of the Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) and suspended the March 2008 notification announcing Ms Malik's victory from NA-69 constituency in Khushab.

The court furthermore instructed the election commission to take necessary action in this regard.

Earlier on Oct 9, the court had reserved its judgement on the case.

Ms Malik had won the 2008 general election from NA-69, Khushab on a PML-Q ticket. A losing candidate from the constituency, Malik Umar Aslam Awan, had filed a petition challenging Ms Malik's victory and had alleged that the lawmaker done her intermediate in 1981 and in order to avoid her ineligibility, had managed to obtain a fake BA degree from the University of Punjab.

A number of lawmakers have been disqualified for possessing bogus educational degrees. The situation came about as former president Pervez Musharraf promulgated the Conduct of General Election Order 2002 which prescribed graduation condition for election to parliament.

The ordinance was promulgated at a time when Pakistan was under the military rule and the then chief executive Musharraf was exercising the powers of parliament. Hence, the graduation condition was a one-man law. It was later removed via the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

Pakistan

Plea seeking Sumaira’s disqualification dismissed

AKHTAR ALEEM SYED

Oct 28, 2013 11:24am

Only disqualification? Shouldn't she be convicted for committing fraud and made liable to return all perks she had enjoyed while illegally in the Parliament. She must be ashamed of herself and put to task.

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Masoud

Oct 28, 2013 11:26am

I think there should be a serious proceeding against all MNAs & MPAs with fake or tampered degree. Anyone found guilty should be sent to jail alongwith heavy fine. The next loosing candidate should be declared a winner.

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Akram

Oct 28, 2013 01:52pm

These people are cheating the public, when are we going to see them banned from office for life and sent to jail, where they should get at least 5 years, they have been trying to cheat the Awam.

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Shahid Ali

Oct 28, 2013 03:19pm

@Masoud: Fully support Masood's views.

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Khalid

Oct 28, 2013 03:49pm

@Masoud: Could agree more. These people have cheated the nation in a big way and as far as I know, none of these cheats have been punished. I wonder why?.

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Muhammad Arshad

Oct 28, 2013 04:37pm

@AKHTAR ALEEM SYED: Ashamed? You expect that from this lot! I wish they had any shame? But they don't. Totally agree with what you said. I just don't see anything happening beyond the disqualification!

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TANVIR AHMAD ZIAI

Oct 28, 2013 04:48pm

It is strange that most of the fake degree holders are found in PML-N. Ms Sumera Malik hails from a good-reputed family from either sides. It is a stigma on both Kala Bagh and Leghari families. All politicians are losing their worth. It would be a graceful way for her to refund all monies to the national exchequer that she received during the period of her membership instead of lodging appeals against the judgement of the apex court.

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Aay Kay

Oct 28, 2013 05:32pm

@AKHTAR ALEEM SYED: Minimum 3 to 5 years in Jail, they must deposit all the salary and perks into Government Treasury and their next generation be banned from holding any public office.

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fraz

Oct 28, 2013 10:49pm

when some this is proven in the court then you can not say allegedly.,,,,,,miss reporting at its best

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K.A.Muhammad

Oct 29, 2013 05:48am

A bogus Degree holder out to serve people! Some character indeed!

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AKHTAR ALEEM SYED

Oct 29, 2013 12:03pm

Doesn't this fake degree holder's conscience (if she has any) bothers her to sit in the picture between two eminent personalities; one from the literary world (Iftikhar Arif) and the other from legal fraternity (Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim)? She deserves to be prosecuted criminally on more than one counts.

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Tanvir

Oct 30, 2013 06:53pm

I guess she is pretty enough to get a fake degree for (not from) any university in Pakistan. The authorities must also go after those issuing fake degrees. They could unearth a fake degree mafia in each Pakistani university or the education board.

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Ahmed

Oct 31, 2013 12:58am

After conviction , criminal proceedings against her or such liars must follow automatically. If such people are not put behind bars , the law is protecting criminals and courts are promoting corruption. All salaries & perks enjoyed by her from Exchequer must be recovered.

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Mushy

Oct 31, 2013 05:37pm

During the last 5-7 years, the higher courts have formed the bulk of the few public institutions carrying out their designated duty in Pakistan. Let us give these liars and dodgers jail time, lifetime bar on public office and return with interest all the public money they used while in office. Let's auction their assets. A point of concern: the case dates to 2008 and the judgement comes 5 years later for something as simple as checking fraudulent certificates? Please, justice delayed is justice denied!

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