ECP declares Shah Mahmood Qureshi ineligible to contest elections for five years after his conviction in the cipher case

ISLAMABAD, Feb 03 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday declared former foreign minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Vice Chairman Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi ineligible to contest elections for five years after his conviction in the cipher case.

The announcement comes days after a special court, established under the Official Secrets Act, awarded Shah Mahmood Qureshi 10 years imprisonment in the high-profile cypher case, along with former prime minister and PTI foudner Imran Khan.

The court, presided by Judge Abul Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain, announced the verdict during the hearing held within the premises of Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

The notification issued by ECP on Saturday states:

“In pursuance of the judgment dated 30th January, 2024, handed down by the Judge, Special Court (Official Secret) Camp Court at Central Prison Rawalpindi in Case No. 01 of 2023 titled as “The State versus Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi and Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi”, whereby Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has been held guilty u/s 5(3)(a), 5(1)(c) punishable u/s 5(3)(b) of OSA, 5(1)(d) Punishable u/s 5(3)(b) of OSA and Section 9 of the OSA read with 34 PPC and has been held guilty in light of charge u/s 5(3)(a) of the OSA, 1923 read with section 34 PPC and convicted and sentenced u/s 5(3)(a) read with section 34 PPC and convicted and sentenced u/s 5(3)(a) read with section 34 PPC and punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term of 10 years, guilty in light of charge u/s 9 read with section 5(3)(a) of OSA, 1923 and is convicted and sentenced u/s 5(3)(a) of OSA, 1923 with rigorous imprisonment for a term of 10-years. All the supra mentioned sentences shall run concurrently”.

It added that any convicted individual, in accordance with the Constitution and the law, cannot participate in elections.

“As a consequence, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017”. Therefore, Mr Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi is disqualified to contest General Elections-2024 and any subsequent elections for a period of five years.”

The notification has been issued by the Order of the Election Commission of Pakistan. the notification has been issued by Additional Director General (Elections) Syed Nadeem Haider.

On January 30, the PTI founder and his close associate Shah Mehmood Qureshi were sentenced to 10-year rigorous imprisonment in the cipher case, as the special court established under the Official Secrets Act announced its verdict in the keenly-observed episode.

The short verbal verdict was announced soon after recording the statements of the two accused under Section 342 during the hearing at the Adiala jail.