SHC dismisses plea against CM's eligibility

KARACHI The Sindh High Court on Tuesday dismissed a constitutional petition regarding eligibility of the Sindh Chief Minister. A division bench comprising Justice Shahid Anwar Bajwa and Justice Tufail H Ebrahim dismissed the petition that was moved by Chairman Sindh Doctors Ittehad Dr Muhammad Ali Thalo. The court observed in the order that the courts do not have constitutional powers to disqualify parliamentarians nor they have powers to issue directive to the Government to bring amendment in the Constitution. The order further stated that the petitioner failed submitting any constitutional reference before the court. Earlier the court had reserved the judgement after hearing final arguments from both the sides. The plaintiff moved the petition seeking disqualification of Chief Minister Sindh due to his mental and health statues. The petitioner submitted that while an ordinary government servant after reaching 60 years age is retired from job and his medical fitness is also a condition to continue job, then those leaders who decide the future of the nation should also be in good health and good shape to perform their duties in befitting manner. He maintained that the Chief Minister, who has now reached the age of 80, was not above the law of nature. He added that Syed Qaim Shah now needs complete rest so he should retire from politics as well as chief minister slot. The plaintiff prayed the court to issue order to form a medical board for the complete medical check-up of the Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and during this period bar the chief minister from performing his duties. The plaintiff also pleaded the court to set age limit for the public representatives.

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