The Hindu : Front Page : Sharif brothers disqualified, PML(N) protest today

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Thursday, Feb 26, 2009
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Sharif brothers disqualified, PML(N) protest today

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan looked set for yet another period of crippling political instability on Wednesday after the Supreme Court disqualified Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif from elected office.

Mr. Sharif squarely blamed President Asif Ali Zardari for the verdict. Describing it as an “attack” on Pakistan, he asked the nation to rise in protest against it.

The PML(N) announced that a nationwide protest would be held on Thursday, but party workers were already out on the streets in many parts of the country, including in the capital and Lahore, burning tyres and shouting slogans against Mr. Zardari.

Following the verdict, Mr. Shahbaz Sharif stepped down as the Chief Minister of Punjab province, where Governor’s rule was immediately imposed.

After daily hearings over several weeks, the Supreme Court upheld a 2008 decision by the Lahore High Court disqualifying Mr. Nawaz Sharif on the grounds of his conviction in cases brought against him by the Musharraf regime.

A three-member Bench of the court disqualified Mr. Shahbaz Sharif on a petition that he was an accused in a loan default case and, therefore, ineligible to contest elections. The court also noted that both brothers had insulted the judiciary by questioning their appointments.

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