SHC declares Musharraf ineligible for Parliament

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Saturday declared former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf ineligible for Parliament membership, DawnNews reported.

The three-member SHC bench, led by Chief Justice Maqbool Baqir, said that Musharraf did not meet the criteria set in Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

The bench further said that decisions taken by Musharraf led to Pakistan’s image being hurt. The detail verdict has been released by the court.

Musharraf had returned to Pakistan in March 2013 after nearly four years of self-imposed exile to contest the May 11 general election.

Election officials had barred him from running for the National Assembly, effectively derailing his attempts to regain a place in politics by standing at the polls.

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A concerned citizen

Feb 14, 2015 10:38pm

Have we had any political / military leader who has not hurt Pakistan's image?

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Su6ra

Feb 14, 2015 10:49pm

Not only should Mushy not count for parliament, his comments should not count for anything. No one should give any press to this man who sacrificed his countries democratic values to further his self-serving desire for dictatorship. He shouldnt be allowed to sit on this imaginary high pedestal and pontificating when all that he is is just a self-serving fraud.

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Javid

Feb 14, 2015 10:55pm

Abslutely right. Banned him for Life. Honest people have nothing to do in the parliament.

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Rizwan

Feb 14, 2015 10:59pm

What a joke! As if existing politicians esp prime minister meets the criterion.

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Sayyar Khan

Feb 14, 2015 11:02pm

Please let him run for parliament so he knows his true value. Which is ZERO.

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Cyrus Ho

Feb 14, 2015 11:13pm

Why does he bother?

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Kirther

Feb 14, 2015 11:16pm

Pakistan's political canvas is littered with political and religious parties representing various factions is there any politician in the country who can satisfy the requirements of Article 62 and 63. Yes efforts should be made to inculcate democratic norms in this society but then action should not be taken in isolation all those including the sitting Prime Minister should be barred from holding any public office, how about Lahore massacre, is the Chief Minister of Punjab an angle.

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asif

Feb 14, 2015 11:18pm

I do not support this person but does anyone is parliament meet the criteria set in article 62 and 63. What a big joke this is on us.

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Feb 14, 2015 11:22pm

But Mr. NS and 10% are eligible to be elected what travesty of justice in Pakistan.

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Khan

Feb 14, 2015 11:31pm

Zardari and Nawaz Shareef are!!!!!!!!!

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zafar

Feb 14, 2015 11:36pm

Yes, and all criminals in the assemblies can run the country into the ground with the blessings of the courts. What a joke! "Image of the country". Musharraf is one Pakistani other than IK who is on International media standing up against the anti-Pakistan stand of the west. Listen to some of his recent interviews.

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Zafar

Feb 14, 2015 11:38pm

What about the majority of the elected lot in the parliament ? Majority of them don't meet this criteria either. Courts are quite biased I must say.

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Ahmed USA

Feb 14, 2015 11:40pm

What a shame..."decisions taken by Musharraf led to Pakistan’s image being hurt"...what about other politicians...probably they took the literal meaning of "justice is blind"...

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Waseem

Feb 14, 2015 11:41pm

These judges need to be disqualified as judges. Their verdict is insane. Musharraf is ineligible, but thugs and national money looters are?

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Muhammed ali

Feb 14, 2015 11:45pm

Allah o Akbar.....what a great joke....we have some of the biggest thieves Pakistan have ever seen sitting in parliament, yet here is leader that was 2nd to non and they want him dead and buried. ...

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Shahid Akbar, New York

Feb 14, 2015 11:46pm

This is one of the biggest jokes. What was this bench drinking when making the decision? How can a an army chief, commando, president, and man who fought wars against internal and external enemies of Pakistan can hurt image of Pakistan. Just looked at the economic indicators during General Saheb's era, you will notice the graph was heading north. Stop depleting national assets. More and more people making a fun of these kangaroo courts.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Feb 14, 2015 11:46pm

What? If he doesn't meet the criteria under the so called article 62 and 63 then who does qualify? An Army Chief and President who has ZERO corruption cases on him. Who served the country honestly through out his life. He made Pakistan 11th growing nation in the world and he doesn't qualify? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Our entire judicial system needs some major overhauling.

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SGKhan Karachi

Feb 14, 2015 11:47pm

Good decision by the SHC. This guy deserves it.

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rana

Feb 14, 2015 11:51pm

to be parlimentarian you have to be corrupt otherwise you are not elligible.

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Shan Kazmi

Feb 14, 2015 11:55pm

Well, the courts in Pakistan do NOT necessarily impart justice at all times. In Pakistan a person indicted of murder may either be sentenced to death or may be e quitted by the same panel of judges. Sometimes they eat their own words. Therefore, in the instant case it is a political vendetta which made the judges decide against Musharraf.

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Em Moosa

Feb 14, 2015 11:57pm

Ha Ha Ha he is the only one in the country who does not meet the criteria to be eligible under article 62 and 63 and whole parliament is full with angels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When does our courts will give justice and talk justice. I think never.

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saif

Feb 15, 2015 12:01am

Pity the nation & its courts... All the super corrupts & criminals have the right to b elected but only the ones who dont have such record.

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Syed Ahmad

Feb 15, 2015 12:02am

Avery good decision.

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sid

Feb 15, 2015 12:02am

@SGKhan Karachi Yes for being a great leader. Down with the Judiciary!

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I. Ahmed

Feb 15, 2015 12:10am

No wonder people are demanding military courts. Very soon Pakistan will be famous for reverse judicial system. All dishonest people in Pakistan will be treated as honest (like members of assemblies, mafia groups, terrorists et al) and all honest and law abiding citizens will have to get a judgement from our courts that they are dishonest. Who says the system doesn’t work, it does, but in the reverse!

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aman

Feb 15, 2015 12:17am

I guess article 62 states that "A person is ineligible to run for parliament if he/she does not have any case registered against him/her". Article 63 states " A person can become eligible if he/she has corruption cases registered against him".

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james zatonski

Feb 15, 2015 12:19am

The decision shows that judiciary has become a joke. Absolutely no morals, no sense of justice - corruption rules.

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fawad

Feb 15, 2015 12:23am

Great news, I hope he stops embarrassing Pakistan by spilling the secret, to gain mileage for election and being relevant. He might have done many good deeds, but few wrong decisions (taliban etc), ruined the country and has long lasting effect internationally too. Country will take decades to recover from that and mend relationship with neighbors.

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Rashid

Feb 15, 2015 12:30am

Unfortunately, He does not have one very important qualification required to be a politician. He is a honest person.!!! lacks dishonesty, The art of telling a very convincing lie,

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Rashid

Feb 15, 2015 12:34am

Unfortunately, Musharraf gets disqualified because he is honest. !!

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Feb 15, 2015 12:34am

Judiciary in Pakistan is laughable - Far away from independence, competency etc. etc. Where do we go to get justice -it is scary

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Nazir

Feb 15, 2015 12:44am

What a justice...Criminals, liars, looters are eligible but not a person whose tenure was the best for pak.

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mumtaz

Feb 15, 2015 12:51am

Wow, what a decision. Pakistan ka Allah hi hafiz hai.

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Em Moosa

Feb 15, 2015 12:54am

@Su6ra Democracy and democrats? No civilized country in the world can afford these so called democrats who are taking the country to down hill. If you can afford then congratulations to you and your family, Either you are getting some benefits from it or something else but think about the whole nation who will not going to survive but only these democrats who are looting and transferring their money abroad.

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George

Feb 15, 2015 12:55am

Musharraf is the ONLY one!

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Doc PhD USA

Feb 15, 2015 12:56am

What a mockery. Is there any true judgement by the most injust system in the whole world? No one believes in this system anymore,

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naveed sialkot

Feb 15, 2015 12:56am

Musharaf's tenure was one of the golden era in the history of Pakistan. Surely, we don't deserve a leader like musharaf.

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AHMED

Feb 15, 2015 01:07am

@Su6ra Well said. Musharraf has done as much damage to Pakistan as Zia. This is why the military generals in Pakistan should never again be allowed to pretend they are are above the law.

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AHMED

Feb 15, 2015 01:09am

@naveed sialkot Are you really that ignorant of the damage done to Pakistan by Musharraf during in stay in power? Lying at every step, letting terrorists enter Pakistan and establish bases here, thus turning Pakistan into a lawless state.

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Raja

Feb 15, 2015 01:19am

Not surprised. Nawaz Sharif's Judges sitting in SHC.

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Khurram Nawaz

Feb 15, 2015 01:23am

What Justice, Pakistan legal system has brought in Pakistan is evident, the ball is now PM court and he know how to defend himself or take it easy as there is no Justice for him from the front door!

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Zak

Feb 15, 2015 01:23am

The most eligible candidate, declared ineligible , by the dis- honourable court. I suppose, this court thinks Zardari-Nawaz are most eligible!

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Shazad

Feb 15, 2015 01:28am

Another brilliant decision by our justice system. They don't have courage to give verdict against corruption, killings, Mafias but they decide in a blink of eye when it is decision against Mush - Local body Election - Took action against th TTP - Attacked by these People several times - HEC - Nadra - New channels - Telecom revolution

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Nasir-USA

Feb 15, 2015 01:30am

That is what is expected from corrupts courts, they need someone corrupt like them in the parliament.

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raj

Feb 15, 2015 01:34am

Forget everyone else and give Imran Khan a chance.

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Ayesha

Feb 15, 2015 01:38am

@Su6ra When your USA visa comes or trip to West you will change your decision

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S Chaudhury

Feb 15, 2015 01:39am

This is exactly why Pakistan is in this situation. Corrupt judges/Judiciary brought this country to its knees Can these judges qualify under article 62? What a joke these bunch of idiot judges has been?

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UmerKhatab

Feb 15, 2015 01:40am

How did he hurt the image of Pakistan??? Oh let me guess, I forgot there were many reasons, he didn't steel, he didn't call for senseless Dharnas, open media outlets, allowed free journalism, let jahil lawyers march, didn't kick CJ into jail, developed country's image and revenues, stood against Militants, Taliban and Lal Palace Mullah, got rid of the biggest traitor Bugti, didn't give out his family ministries like candies, his kids didn't abuse his powers. Wow! i think he should be stripped out his Pakistan's citizenship.

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Irshad. Khan CAN

Feb 15, 2015 02:01am

There is got to be some thing wrong with our Judiciary, SHC declared former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf ineligible for Parliament membership but it is blind to see all corrupt politicians including Nawaz Sharif who are in the Parliament. It is sad to say that people in Pakistan have lost faith on Judiciary.

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Quresh

Feb 15, 2015 02:02am

Mr. Chief Justice Maqbool Baqir, Musharraf is better then zurdari and nawaz, zurdari and nawaz are eligible for election. So ridiculous.

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ubaid khan

Feb 15, 2015 02:03am

@Su6ra 100% agree

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khan saheb

Feb 15, 2015 02:08am

Thats a proof judges are blindfolded

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Maqsood Bhai

Feb 15, 2015 02:12am

The sad part is with lawyers showering murderer like Mumtaz Qadri with roses and judges declining to listen to Qadri's case on religious grounds they are making a laughing stock of themselves. Judgments are supposed to be unbiased and based on points of law. I am not a lawyer so may not fully appreciate the technicalities of Musharraf's case. Their Lordships are expected to be neutral and supposed to listen to cases without fear or favour but given their standoff with Musharraf during 2007 most would disqualify themselves from his case on grounds of association with lawyers movement for return of Chief Justice.

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Asim Ahmed

Feb 15, 2015 02:30am

Let me give you a news here to the commenters here. The court didn't say that all the politicians are angels, it just said the Musharraf is not qualified on basis of some articles of constitution. Can you figure the difference? Do you care about the constitution? Probably not, but how can I blame you because you haven't seen a democracy work itself out.

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Norozkhan

Feb 15, 2015 02:54am

It is now impossible for any honest person to get justice in Pakistan from the present Judiciary. Our Judiciary forgets that they are also being watched by the world.

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reality bites

Feb 15, 2015 02:56am

These courts and judges will out do each other to please the TTP and terrorists. Meanwhile they want to throw flower petals on misfits like Mumtaz Qadri, the governor's killer. Look at the current line up of parliamentarians, how eligible yet clowns. Musharraf is at least ten times better than the sharpest parliamentarian there.

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Omer

Feb 15, 2015 03:04am

Now thats a very good decision, a slap for military dectators

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Faruk chowhdry

Feb 15, 2015 03:12am

I'm 100% sure he is much better than PM Nawaz, and Zardari&co !

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Abdul

Feb 15, 2015 03:25am

As always Musharraf zindabad.

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Rashid

Feb 15, 2015 03:26am

' Image was hurt'? Pakistan presided ECOSOC(UN)-2005; Chairman of G-77. The "Dictator" gave mouth to media. GDP went up to 8.96% from4.6%(PPP Rule). Installed Local Governments. Opened 81 new universities. Created new jobs around 8.00 millions, just to mention few reforms. We want this :Dictator: back- legally eligible or no.

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Masood Khan

Feb 15, 2015 03:53am

It looks like IFTIKHAR CHAUDHRY still rules the Supreme Court.

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salman

Feb 15, 2015 03:57am

His only enemies are lal masjid sympathizers

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justice

Feb 15, 2015 04:04am

Good .Bush ka chamcha. he is responsible for the turmoil in pakistan. He should be behind bar..his tenure was worse than zia and ayub......

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kaka

Feb 15, 2015 04:18am

Right decicsion by HEC, he does not deserve to be in parliament.

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not surprised

Feb 15, 2015 04:22am

these token judges shouldnt be there as they are a black spot on pak Judiciary.

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shahzad

Feb 15, 2015 04:30am

@Kirther if both Articles were enforced in spirit then only new born babies will be eligible to contest elections.

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Ghaznavi

Feb 15, 2015 04:38am

@Su6ra Musharraf was far better then the democratically elected Ali Baba and 40 Thugs! Just if you don' t remember people celebrated his take over. At the time the country was at the brink of insolvency. Agreed democracy is better way of running a state but it must be genuine and not build on fraudulent elections. This man deserves a break. There are many who should be barred from politics before him.

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Z khan

Feb 15, 2015 04:39am

@A concerned citizen yes we have leaders who did not hurt our image. Jinnah, Liaquat, Suravardi, Molvi Tamizzudin, Bhutto, Benazir, Shaukat Aziz, Asghar khan, mufti mahmood, Fakhr Imam, begun Fatima jinnah, begun Rana Liaquat ali khan and a host of others.

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Z khan

Feb 15, 2015 04:40am

@Ahmed USA bring them up on charges. Your approach is ridiculous. It like when a thief is caught he pleads that you should catch all others before catching me.

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Z khan

Feb 15, 2015 04:42am

@Kirther the whole idea behind democracy is diversity. What you consider litter is actually being inclusive, i.e. we allow everyone to form a political party and express their ideology.

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Z khan

Feb 15, 2015 04:44am

@IBN E ASHFAQUE yes they are. They did not over throw an elected government, and they have never been convicted.

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Hugh Slaman

Feb 15, 2015 05:08am

This is an entirely ridiculous decision, and is of a piece with the politicized nonsense we have seen coming out of our judiciary. May Allah support General Musharraf and overturn this insanity against him.

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Naji

Feb 15, 2015 05:21am

A corrupt society can support only Nawaz Sharif, Zardari, Zia ul Haque, Ejaz ul Haque, Marium Nawaz Sharif, people. Musharaf has not a single record of corruption during his 50 years of service for Pakistan.

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MAK

Feb 15, 2015 05:22am

Ironical, our political govts have been travesty of democracy & the country had to be rescued by the army quite rightly (happening even now), the judiciary trying to regain its integrity singles out & slanders a patriot who tried to harness the impetuous politicians,I am sure history will exonerate him once the prejudiced have withered & sensible milieu prevail.

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maher ihsan

Feb 15, 2015 05:24am

what a joke 62 and 63 90% of our member don't fit on 62 and 63 and only Musharraf is ineligible .and by who Sindh high court the most corrupt province.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada.

Feb 15, 2015 05:28am

Do most of the parliaments under the cover of restraining orders meet meet the criteria set in Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution. Let's be honest, do Chief Justice Maqbool Baqir and two others themselves meet the criteria set in Articles 62 and 63?

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Feb 15, 2015 05:31am

it was not about anybody else for the court. You please go to court about NS and AZ and the rest and 'present argument'. and then let us see what court says.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada.

Feb 15, 2015 05:46am

@Ahmed USA You have hit the bull.

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saeed

Feb 15, 2015 05:56am

Our courts and politician fear him so much. What if they allow him and he wins?

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malick

Feb 15, 2015 06:10am

What about Choudhary, did he hurt Pakistan in Election 2013 through ROs?

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Asif

Feb 15, 2015 06:26am

What a joke !

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dipak

Feb 15, 2015 06:31am

he is not even a good soldier.he is cheater and has down pakistans image on international stage as he did kargil misadventure stabbing india behind keeping the whole country in darkness even his fellow generals. threatening india for n.weapons as if such weapons are like toys.he doesnt know the impact. he is responsible for present crisis. he encourage jehadis who are now damaging country internally. we are surprise still he is allowed to speak whatever he like.

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JUSTICE

Feb 15, 2015 06:43am

It should be the other way around, these Sind High Court Judges who be ineligible to pass any judgment. Ask these corrupt judges if they ever run back ground check on any other political parties whether they also violated article 62 & 63, specially mr Zardari and Nawaz Sharif

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Salman

Feb 15, 2015 07:06am

All the corrupts and looters can run for the parliament and an ex-chief of army staff and president is not eligible. What a joke! This justice system has become a laughing stock.

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Aziz USA

Feb 15, 2015 07:13am

Thereby, the court in this regards proved to be absolutely incompetent and void of exercising any cognitive process in application of fundamental judicial principals. The SHC not only violated the constitution but made a mockery of jurisprudence and universal principals of justice. What Law school did these so called learned judges graduated from!

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Masood A. Syed

Feb 15, 2015 07:16am

Does SHC know how many fake degee holders are in the National assembly and in the Pakistan Govt. ? May be they should find out ! just in PIA there are more than 30% people working had fake degrees ,Bravo SHC,Bravo ,Jie Sindh !

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Moin Kamal

Feb 15, 2015 07:20am

Our Judges are most corrupt and lousy in the third world nations. Our Lawyers are looters. Our Pakistan is a mess. Let us sell to UAE and they will run better.

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Sami

Feb 15, 2015 07:49am

What a joke! Our judiciary is as corrupt as our politicians. This is the price our nation has to pay for a person who is honest and non-corrupt. Shame on our judiciary.

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Human

Feb 15, 2015 08:05am

@A concerned citizen Gen Ayub Khan.....though the difference is that he fought elections and then become the president

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excalibur

Feb 15, 2015 08:07am

Kangaroo Courts what next

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MSAlvi

Feb 15, 2015 08:12am

In my 78 year life time, I found Musharraf the best leader Pakistan had. The SHC decision is ridiculous. Those judges should read these comments on their judgment and be ashamed. The country's judgment is against the judges. They must resign or get fired.

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MSAlvi

Feb 15, 2015 08:23am

This is the most ridiculous decision I have ever seen by any hgh court or supreme court in any country. These judges have no common sense. Time has come that the army should remove this government and have new elections. There is more awareness in the public now, and I think they will elect the right people this time. The 'Zarb-e Azb' alone is not going to help the country much. The problem is with the politicians.

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Ibrahim

Feb 15, 2015 09:01am

Another poor decision by the Kangaroo courts. What a travesty of justice!

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Riaz

Feb 15, 2015 10:54am

@khan saheb Decisions against our wishes are bad. Courts are only fair when their decisions are in our favour, irrespective of the evidence and justice.

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khanm

Feb 15, 2015 10:56am

Does anyone in our political arena meet the criteria set in Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.????Our criteria for deciding what's good and what's bad is very fickle, especially in this country. set aside your so call constitution, In the real world in which we live, you always have to choose between evils. And in choosing between evils, you have to have moral criteria for how to make those choices. unfortunately we don't have any moral either...

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shamain

Feb 15, 2015 11:29am

Right decision. Totally inept for politics and a liar. Led us into current mess by allowing foreign intel agencies operatives into the country. he was literally american bootlicker . had america asked him to cut his head and present in a platter he woulda done that.

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Azmeen

Feb 15, 2015 12:40pm

This dictator deserved that.

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Hanif Bhaty

Feb 15, 2015 10:40pm

Musharraf an honest sincere dedicated Pakistani is being harressed . On what basis Zardari and Nawaz Shareef have been not been disqualified yet. Are they HOLY COWS.

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