BAHAWALPUR, June 24: A number of former lawmakers stand disqualified for the next elections with the promulgation of an ordinance making a university degree mandatory for candidates.

Those eliminated from the contest include ex-MNAs Sahibzada Farooq Anwar Abbasi and Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi of the PML-QA and Chaudhry Mumtaz Ahmad Jajja, the PML (Nawaz) president.

Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi is said to be considering fielding his brother, Prince Falahuddin Abbasi. Mr Jajja will seek the party ticket to his son. Farooq Abbasi, however, seems to have no such option.

Mian Aqeelur Rahman, one of the former MNAs, has taken the BA examination given recently by the Islamia University, Bahawalpur. The results might be announced in August.

The following former MPAs, too, would not be eligible: Sahibzada Usman Abbasi (a former deputy speaker), Makhdoom Iftikar Gilani of Uch Sharif and Sardar Abdulah Dabar of Ahmadpur East.

Former federal minister Abdus Sattar Laleka (of Haroonabad in Bahawalnagar district) will also be left out.