Global Rice News

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has made a significant decision that has the potential to shape the country’s political landscape. On Monday, the court announced that lifetime bans from contesting elections for individuals with past convictions would be scrapped. This ruling opens the door for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to potentially become prime minister for a fourth time.

Sharif’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), is widely considered a top contender in the upcoming election scheduled for Feb. 8. His main rival, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is currently in jail and barred from participating in the polls for the next five years. With Khan’s absence, Sharif’s chances of success increase significantly.

In 2017, Sharif was found guilty of dishonest practices, which resulted in his disqualification from politics under certain constitutional provisions. However, he was not one of the applicants in the recent case that led to the lifting of the lifetime ban. Nevertheless, this ruling now allows him to participate in the upcoming election, as more than five years have passed since his conviction in 2017.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa stated that the ruling “is beyond its scope.” This decision is expected to have a profound impact on the political dynamics of the country, potentially reshaping the balance of power.

It’s important to note that while Sharif benefits from the court’s ruling, Khan does not. The ruling only eliminates lifetime bans, meaning Khan remains disqualified from participating in elections until 2028. This outcome has potentially significant consequences for the future of Khan’s political career.

This decision by the Supreme Court in Pakistan has ignited discussions and debates about the fairness and transparency of the country’s electoral processes. It will be interesting to see how this ruling shapes the political landscape leading up to the elections and its impact on the overall dynamics of the country.

Source: [Zawya](https://www.zawya.com)