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Pakistan: Supreme Court disqualify Nawaz Sharif for life

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Pakistan: Supreme Court disqualify Nawaz Sharif for life

Tehreen-e-Insaaf leader says it doesn’t apply to him

In an unheard development, unprecedented in at least in the sub-continent, Pakistan Supreme Court has permanently disqualified former PM Nawaz Sahrif and alike to shed their political ambitions for life. The landmark verdict that will change the course of the country’s political history has, on Friday, ruled that disqualification handed down under Article 62 (1) (f) of the Constitution is for life.

According to Dawn the verdict was issued unanimously by all five judges of the bench. Former PM Nawaz Sharif was disqualified in the Panama papers case by a five-judge bench on July 28 under the same provisions of the country’s constitution.

The election for 342-seats of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) is scheduled to be held in July this year. In the previous elections held in 2013, Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N) won 166 seats, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), 42 seats while Pakistan Tehreen Insaf  (PTI) won 35 seats.

Present Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was sworn-in on 1 August 2017 as a stop-gap arrangement by Nawaz Sharif, who was disqualified for the office by the Supreme court in July last year. At the time of his election as PM, Khaqani was called as an interim PM for 45 days.

Pakistan: Supreme Court disqualify Nawaz Sharif for life

Article 62(1) (f), sets the precondition for a member of parliament to be “sadiq and ameen” (honest and righteous). Likewise, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)’s leader Jahangir Tareen was disqualified on Dec 15, 2017 by a separate bench of the apex court under the same provision. PTI is headed by cricketer turned politician Imran Khan.

Following the Supreme Court verdict, former PM Nawaz Sharif and PTI leader Jahangir Tareen have been disqualified to hold public office till the courts’ respective declarations against them hold.

This is considered to be a major shock and embarrassment for Nawaz Sharif and country’s ruling party Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). Pakistan’s politicians have been complaining on earlier occasions about judiciary’s behavior being influenced by some agencies. However, none could substantiate such claims.

The decision, read out by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, stated that the disqualification of any member of parliament or a public servant under Article 62 (1)(f) in the future will be “permanent”. According to the constitutional provisions, such a person cannot contest elections or become a member of parliament.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, who was heading the bench, remarked before the verdict was announced that the public deserves “leaders of good character”.

“The restriction imposed by Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution for the eligibility of a candidate for election to Parliament serves the public need and public interest for honest, upright, truthful, trustworthy and prudent elected representatives,” reads the judgement.

It says the judicial mechanism in Article 62 (1) (f) grants a fair opportunity for relief to a candidate under challenge to vindicate himself. “Therefore, the permanent incapacity of a candidate for election under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution is not an arbitrary, excessive or unreasonable curtailment of his fundamental right under Article 17(2) of the Constitution.”

“In the result, we are inclined to hold that the incapacity created for failing to meet the qualifications under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution imposes a permanent bar which remains in effect so long as the declaratory judgment supporting the conclusion of one of the delinquent kinds of conduct under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution remains in effect” said Supreme Court.

The apex court indicated that this will not affect on Sharif and Tareen. It also directed that all 17 appeals and petitions challenging the length of disqualification under Article 62 (1)(f) for possessing fake degrees be fixed before appropriate benches “for decision in accordance with the law laid down in this judgment, keeping in view the respective facts and circumstances of each case”.

Hence, anybody who is not Sadiq and Ameen (honest and righteous), including those of declaring fake qualification documents will not be spared.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, a member of the bench who wrote an additional note in the judgment, observed that while a period of disqualification was specified in certain sub-articles of Article 63 of the Constitution, such a sunset clause is not found in Article 62(1) (f) because the framers of the Constitution chose not to do so.

Addressing the concern by some counsels of the petitioners that the lifetime ban resulting from Article 62 (1)(f) “may be disproportionate and a little harsh”, Justice Saeed maintained that such arguments were more suitable to be held in the parliament, rather than before the court.

“This aspect of the matter is rather ironic as several persons before us were or had been the Members of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) at some point of time and may have passed the amendments, which now stand in their way,” he wrote.

“We […] can only interpret the Constitution, not amend or change it,” the judge emphasised.

Dawn reports that Mazhar Abbas, a senior journalist, while responding to the apex court’s ruling, said that the judgment will have political implications. “Nawaz Sharif will intensify his narrative and it will be difficult for [PML-N president] Shahbaz Sharif to take a different line from the one being taken by [his brother],” he said.

At the last hearing, Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf had told the bench that it was not the function of the courts to say that the disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution was for life or to provide a timeline for disqualification. The question should be best left for parliament to decide, he had argued.

The AG had also emphasized that the provision did not determine the length of disqualification, adding that the court would have to look into the matter on a case-to-case basis.

Pakistan: Supreme Court disqualify Nawaz Sharif for life

Meanwhile, PTI leader Jahangir Tareen, who was disqualified on December 15 last year by the apex Court under the same provisions of the constitution has  said that the apex court’s Friday ruling on lifetime disqualification is “not applicable” in his case.

Responding through his tweet post, Tareen said “I always believed 62 1(f) to be for life but not applicable in my case. Full money trail provided of tax paid income, property declared in assets of children and not mine on advice of tax consultant. This was the only issue. My review is still pending and IA justice will prevail.”

The Friday ruling issued by the Pakistan’s Supreme Court has also indicated that present government could not influence its judgment through Attorney General. It has set an example for several democracies.

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Priya Ghanghas, Sakshi Chaudhary script history as India win four boxing golds at Commonwealth Games 2026

Priya Ghanghas and Sakshi Chaudhary powered India to a record four boxing gold medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026, taking the country’s medal tally to 32.

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India continued its impressive campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Day 10, creating history in boxing as Priya Ghanghas and Sakshi Chaudhary added two more gold medals to the country’s tally. With four boxing gold medals already secured, India achieved its best-ever boxing performance in a single edition of the Commonwealth Games.

Priya Ghanghas defeated Canada’s Marie Al-Ahmadieh by a 4-1 split verdict in the women’s 60kg final. After conceding the opening round, the Indian boxer fought back strongly to win the next two rounds and seal the gold medal.

Earlier, Sakshi Chaudhary produced a commanding display to defeat England’s Ruby White by unanimous decision in the women’s 51kg final, earning India’s third boxing gold of the Games.

Four boxing champions script history

Priya Ghanghas and Sakshi Chaudhary joined Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria on the list of Indian boxing gold medallists at the Glasgow Games.

According to the live updates, India’s four boxing gold medals are the most the country has won in the sport at any edition of the Commonwealth Games.

The boxing campaign is still not over, with five more Indian boxers scheduled to compete in gold medal bouts later on Day 10.

India’s medal tally rises to 32

India’s medal tally climbed to 32 medals, comprising 10 gold, 15 silver and seven bronze.

Apart from boxing, India also celebrated a one-two finish in the men’s F57 shot put event. Soman Rana clinched the gold medal with a throw of 13.40 metres, while Shubham Juyal secured silver with 13.28 metres.

In athletics, Praveen Chithravel claimed silver in the men’s triple jump, while Selva Prabhu Thirumaran won bronze.

Judoka Unnati Sharma also added a bronze medal after defeating South Africa’s Skye Knoester by Ippon in the women’s -63kg event.

India eye more medals on Day 10

India’s medal tally could grow further as several athletes remain in contention later on Day 10.

Boxers Arundhati Choudhary, Lovlina Borgohain, Sachin Siwach, Ankush Panghal and Narender Berwal are all scheduled to compete in their respective finals. Harsh Tokas is also set to fight for bronze in the men’s -81kg judo event, while Indian athletes will feature in the men’s pole vault, men’s 5000m and mixed 4x400m relay finals.

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Spain’s Ceuta migrant crisis: 34 dead as 60,000 cross from Morocco in 24 hours

At least 34 migrants have died and around 60,000 crossed into Spain’s Ceuta from Morocco within 24 hours, prompting a major security response and diplomatic reactions across Europe.

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At least 34 migrants have died while attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, as Spain faces one of its biggest border challenges in recent years.

According to Ceuta regional president Juan Jesus Vivas, around 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory from Morocco within the past 24 hours. The situation has escalated rapidly since Thursday, with security personnel confronting large groups attempting to enter the enclave.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez travelled to Ceuta on Friday, where he condemned the breach of the border and described the incident as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.

Sanchez blamed human smuggling networks for encouraging dangerous migration attempts, saying traffickers exploit vulnerable people and put their lives at risk.

Spain says many migrants have already returned

Spain’s Interior Ministry said nearly half of those who crossed into Ceuta have already returned to Morocco. The ministry also released footage showing people walking back through a border gate separating the two territories.

To strengthen border security, the Spanish government has deployed additional troops, police personnel, divers, drones and boats in and around Ceuta.

Videos circulating on Thursday showed thousands of migrants crossing into the Spanish enclave, highlighting the scale of the sudden influx.

Crisis sparks diplomatic tensions across Europe

The large-scale movement of migrants has triggered diplomatic reactions across Europe. Germany, Italy and Finland criticised the situation, while France tightened border checks with Spain.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes in Ceuta as unacceptable in a social media post, stressing that entry into the European Union must comply with established rules.

An EU official later said there was no evidence of migrants moving onward from Ceuta into mainland Europe.

Italy also called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen free-travel area, with Finland and Denmark expressing support for the proposal. France and the United Kingdom said they were ready to assist Spain in managing the crisis.

Donald Trump comments on Ceuta crisis

US President Donald Trump also reacted to the developments, using the situation to criticise the Democratic Party’s immigration policies.

According to Fox News, Trump said the United States could face a similar situation if Democrats return to power, using the events in Ceuta as a warning about border security.

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PM Modi, UK’s Andy Burnham agree to strengthen India-UK strategic partnership

PM Modi and new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham agreed to expand cooperation in trade, defence, technology, clean energy and investment during their first phone conversation.

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PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated newly appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and said both leaders had agreed to take the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to “new heights” by expanding cooperation across several key sectors.

The two leaders spoke over the phone and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, technology, defence, clean energy, education and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Modi highlights cooperation across key sectors

Sharing details of the conversation on social media, PM Modi said he extended his congratulations to Andy Burnham on assuming office and wished him success during his tenure.

He said both countries would work together in areas such as technology, innovation, defence, security, clean energy, education and stronger people-to-people connections to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister also said India and the United Kingdom would work closely to maximise the trade and investment opportunities created by the recently operationalised India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with the aim of promoting shared prosperity and improving the well-being of people in both countries.

UK outlines Vision 2035 goals

According to a statement issued by the British government, Andy Burnham highlighted the strong partnership between the two nations and its positive impact on communities across the United Kingdom.

The statement said the British Prime Minister expressed his ambition to further deepen bilateral ties through the UK-India Vision 2035 framework while strengthening people-to-people links.

Burnham also acknowledged the contribution of the Indian community to British society. During the conversation, PM Modi referred to the historical connection between Manchester and Ahmedabad, describing Ahmedabad as the “Manchester of India”.

Focus on trade and investment

The British readout said the leaders also discussed the recently introduced free trade agreement, with PM Modi underlining its potential to generate new opportunities for businesses and people in both countries through stronger trade and investment cooperation.

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