ISLAMABAD, Dec 19: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an election appeal seeking to unseat Minister for Women Development and Youth Affairs Sumaira Malik by challenging her educational qualification.

While rejecting the appeal of Malik Umar Aslam, a bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad told the appellant bear the entire cost of the litigation.

Ms Malik had defeated her Mr Aslam from the constituency NA-69, Khushab, for the National Assembly in the 2002 elections.

Alleging irregularities during the elections, Mr Aslam filed an election petition before the election tribunal of the Lahore High Court and contended that the minister’s degree was not valid.

The respondent took the stand before the tribunal that not only the annexure but the contents of the election petition had not been verified on oath.