The ruling could throw into disarray Senate elections due on Mar 3, with opposition figures saying it invalidates candidates from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) who were nominated by Sharif. "The Election Commission is directed to remove name of Nawaz Sharif as president of PML-N from all official records," Chief Justice Saqib Nisar said from the bench. "As a result, all steps taken, all orders passed by Nawaz Sharif are also declared to be as if they had never been taken." Faisal Chaudhry, a lawyer for one of the 17 petitioners who sought Sharif's removal as party head, said the court decision includes Sharif-nominated candidates for the Senate election. "My understanding is that the candidates can still contest but as independent and not as Nawaz Sharif's party ticket holders," Chaudhry said.

Source: bd News24 February 21, 2018 14:03 UTC