ISLAMABAD: The Islam­abad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader and Member of the National Assembly Ali Wazir.

While dismissing the pet­i­tion, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that an individual cannot question the loyalty to state of a citizen as it is the responsibility of the state to file a complaint in this regard.

Petitioner Abdul Wali was seeking disqualification of MNA Mohammad Ali Wazir and a declaration that the PTM is involved in anti-national activities.

The petitioner has also sought a directive for the government to investigate alleged unlawful operations and activities by the PTM by exposing its membership, funding and links with elements/entities operating against sovereignty, security and integrity of Pakistan.

According to the petition, Mr Wazir had contested the last general elections and was elected as a member of the National Assembly. The petitioner, in a nutshell, has questioned the loyalty of Ali Wazir and PTM to the State of Pakistan.

Justice Minallah, while dismissing the petition, noted that “nothing has been placed on record to show that on conclusion of a fair trial, a competent court may have given a declaration regarding loyalty of respondents Nos.10 [PTM] and 11 [Ali Wazir] to the State of Pakistan”.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2020