ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected petition seeking disqualification of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on basis of Iqama (work permit).
A three-member bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial heard the petition filed by Roshan Ali Barero seeking disqualification of the Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah.
The petition stated that Murad Ali Shah was employed in Ajman – United Arab Emirates (UAE) as supervisor in Hotel Holiday while he received Iqama in 2011.
Moreover, it was stated that the Sindh administrator did not mentioned his dual-nationality in affidavit, hence Murad was no longer Sadiq and Ameen (honest) and should be declared disqualified.
The apex court remarked that Returning Officer (RO) had rejected application of Murad Ali Shah but the petitioner has not challenged the RO orders on appropriate legal forum but it petitioned directly to high court. Later the high court rejected the petition as it was the right move, SC said. Moreover, the petitioner was political rival of the Sindh CM and it did not exhibit goodwill of any individual.
Justice Munib Akhtar urged the petitioner to pursue case in its appropriate legal forums, however, it was also needed to prove goodwill. He added that everyone was not contacting the apex court and high court directly to remove any individual from his position instead of its legal forums.
Justice Bandial remarked that Murad Ali Shah had renounced his dual-nationality on July 18 – 2013 while his disqualification was declared on basis of not renouncing second foreign nationality. However, he turned eligible after renouncing his second foreign nationality.
It is noteworthy to mention here that dual-nationality and possession of Iqama of the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was challeged on June 20 – 2018 where petitioner Jalal Mehmood Shah stated that the politician had hidden his Canadian and Emirates’ nationalities.
