ISLAMABAD, July 1: The Awami National Party on Monday challenged in the Supreme Court the condition that anyone wanting to become an MP need to be a graduate.

The ANP is the second political party, after PML(Q), which has approached the apex court against the minimum educational qualification.

The petition, filed under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution, prayed the court to examine the question of insertion of Article 8 in the Conduct of General Election Order, 2002, requiring a citizen, aspiring to be an MNA, Senator or MPA, to have educational qualification of B.A or equivalent.

The ANP is of the view that by inserting Article 8 A, the military government has gone beyond its mandate which the Supreme Court granted and the condition was tantamount to amending salient features of the Constitution.

The petitioner viewed that requiring the MNA, Senator or MP to have educational qualification of B.A or its equivalent was contrary to the rights of the citizens guaranteed under the chapter of fundamental rights.

It prayed the court to declare the chief executive’s order, which introduces an amendment by inserting Article 8-A in the Conduct of General Election Order, 2002, ultra vires to the Constitution, and fixing the qualification of B.A. for the members of the NA and PA be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

The party has also filed an application, through Advocate Qazi Mohammad Anwar, for early hearing.