Govt to challenge ruling disqualifying Sharif for by-polls

The announcement came despite PML-N spokesman Siddique-ul-Farooq’s statement that Sharif will not file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s decision.

“The Lahore High Court is a kangaroo court. The judgement was written somewhere else and they were used as a mouthpiece,” he said, adding the persons who had challenged Sharif’s candidature were ‘known establishment touts’.

Naek said the High Court could not pass a judgement in the matter, as it was a poll-related issue that could only be decided by an election tribunal. The apex court will also be requested to issue a stay order for the by-polls so that elections cannot be held till the appeal is decided, he said.

The High Court, while ruling on petitions challenging Sharif’s candidature, on Monday barred the two-time premier from contesting the by-polls. The judgement was condemned by the PML-N, which is a key ally in the PPP-led government, charging that it was a decision taken by handpicked judges at the behest of President Pervez Musharraf.

Naek’s comments did not pacify PML-N lawmakers, who walked out of the National Assembly and staged a protest on the avenue outside the Parliament building.

They were joined by lawyers and PML-N workers, who shouted slogans against Musharraf as well as judges who swore an oath of allegiance to the President.