Zardari’s dual office case verdict will have far-reaching effects: LHC

LAHORE - A full bench of the Lahore High Court has postponed the hearing of petitions against President Asif Zardari over dual office issue for further arguments to December 13, saying that the case verdict would have an enduring impact.

“The dual office case will prove a landmark verdict and will have far-reaching effects on all such constitutional issues in the country,” the Daily Times quoted the bench, as saying.

It also appointed three senior constitutional experts as amicus curie (friend of court) to assist on this important matter pertaining to the eligibility of the President of Pakistan.

The bench allowed the petitioner counsel to amend his petition, which had been filed by AK Dogar of the Pakistan Lawyers Forum, Ghulam Jillani and Asif Mahmood Khan. Dogar advanced his arguments, saying that a head of state should not hold any political office as it was against the constitution and democratic norms.

Giving examples from the country’s history, Dogar said the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had abandoned the presidency of the Muslim League after taking charge as Pakistan’s first Governor General. (ANI)