ISLAMABAD, (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Supreme Court yesterday suspended a ruling barring former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother from holding elected office and restored their government in the key province of Punjab.
President Asif Ali Zardari plunged Pakistan into a political crisis a month ago by dismissing the government in Punjab after the Supreme Court ruled that the Sharif brothers could not hold elected office because of old convictions.
The court in its latest decision suspended the late February ruling and allowed Shahbaz Sharif, who was chief minister of Punjab, to resume office.“The operation of the February 25 order has been suspended,” Judge Tassaquq Hussain Jilani told the court.
However, while Shahbaz Sharif has been allowed to resume office, Nawaz Sharif must await a final petition ruling which seeks to lift a ban on him running for parliament. The former prime minister is currently not a member of parliament.
Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani welcomed restoration of Sharif’s government in Punjab and hoped it would promote political reconciliation in the country.
