LAHORE, July 18: A single order that those desirous of contesting the general elections should at least be graduate has thrown more political leaders out of the ring than disqualifications made by various accountability courts during the past three years.

While over 100 former legislators, 79 of them ex-MNAs and 22 former senators, are no longer eligible to take part in the October 10 elections, the disqualifications ordered by accountability courts are far less. If the number of ex-MPAs, who also stand disqualified as a result of the graduation condition, is also taken into account, the performance of Ehtesab courts is dwarfed further.

Of those disqualified by the courts, several have challenged their conviction before the appellate courts and their appeals are still pending. Many of them have been granted bail.

As of today, PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto cannot contest the election as she was convicted on account of her failure to appear before accountability court.

Her mother Begum Nusrat Bhutto was declared absconder on November 18, 2000 and awarded two years penal servitude. She will not be able to take part in the elections also because of health reasons.

Ms Bhutto’s father-in-law Hakim Ali Zardari also can’t take part in the elections as he was convicted and sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs18.5 million on the charge of amassing wealth through illegal means.

The former prime minister’s spouse Asif Ali Zardari has been behind the bars for about six years because of various cases pending against him. Though he has not been convicted in any case, he has also not been acquitted either. Proceedings in various cases are still going on and some of these might be decided before the elections.

NAB records states, a case is still pending against former Punjab chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif for allegedly depositing ill-gotten money in accounts opened in other person’s name.

A case of bank default of Rs one billion is also pending against Mian Abbas Sharif. In the presence of this case, he cannot contest elections even if he comes back from Saudi Arabia.

Law Minister Dr Khalid Ranjha had said recently that deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif was not eligible to contest elections because he had been convicted by courts.

A case is also pending against Mian Muhammad Sharif, father of the former prime minister and chief minister, on the charge of constructing palatial houses and mansions at Raiwind.

Other important leaders convicted by various courts and who may not be eligible to take part in the elections include Syed Yousaf Reza Gilani (former speaker), Haji Nawaz Khokhar (ex-deputy speaker), former chief ministers Abdullah Shah, Mian Manzoor Wattoo, Zulfikar Magsi, ex-Senator Gulzar Ahmed Khan, Rana Tanvir Ahmed Khan, Riaz Fatiana, Inayatollah Gandapur, Azam Khan Hoti and Islamuddin Sheikh.

Those who are still facing cases and whose eligibility to take part in the elections is unclear are: PML(N) acting President Javed Hashmi, PPP Secretary-General Jehangir Badar, Faisal Saleh Hayat, Anwar Saifullah, Syed Ghous Ali Shah and Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar.

The government had authorized investigations against 299 political leaders of various parties. Of them, investigations have been completed only in 99 cases. Another 157 are under investigation while 43 cases have been closed for various reasons.

Two former prime ministers, 13 chief ministers (six of them belonging to the PML, three to the PPP and four other parties) have been picked up for accountability. Of the former MNAs implicated in the process, 30 belong to the PML, 24 to the PPP and 8 other parties.

A total of 10 ex-Senators are facing cases of corruption or misuse of power. Six of them belong to the PML, two to the PPP and another two to other parties. According to official sources, 45 former PML and 33 PPP MPAs are facing cases.