ISLAMABAD, April 30: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal of former federal minister Ghulam Akbar Lasi against his disqualification to hold public office for 21 years by the now defunct Ehtesab Bureau.

Ghulam Akbar Lasi served as a Minister for Labour and Manpower during the first stint of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and was arrested along with his brother on charges of corruption.

Both Akbar Lasi and his brother were released after his brother surrendered before the Ehtesab Bureau the amount involved in the corruption worth Rs10.4 million but were disqualified to hold any public office.

Mr Lasi challenged his disqualification before the Balochistan High Court which also dismissed his petition. Being aggrieved, Mr Lasi moved an appeal to the Supreme Court against his disqualification which was also dismissed by the bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui, Justice Javed Iqbal and Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar.