Pak SC strikes down judgments review law; dims former PM Nawaz Sharif's prospects to challenge his lifetime disqualification

Pakistan Supreme Court unanimously strikes down law modifying review process of its judgements, denying former PM Nawaz Sharif chance to challenge lifetime disqualification. Law was “unconstitutional”, “repugnant to and ultra vires the Constitution”, beyond legislative competence of Parliament.

Pakistan's Supreme in a unanimous verdict on August 11 struck down a law modifying the review process of its judgements, dampening the hopes of former premier Nawaz Sharif who was seeking to challenge his lifetime disqualification from holding any public office.

The apex court ruled that the Supreme Court (Review of Judgments and Orders) Act 2023 was "unconstitutional".

The law is “aimed at facilitating and strengthening the Supreme Court in exercising its powers to review its judgements and orders”.

Pakistan's government in May enacted the law to provide the right of appeal against conviction by the Supreme Court under its original jurisdiction.

Nawaz Sharif, the elder brother of outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was disqualified in 2017 by a five-member bench of the apex court but he couldn't file an appeal as there was no law to challenge the judgment of the top judiciary.

In 2018, he became ineligible to hold public office for life after a Supreme Court verdict.

The 73-year-old former premier has been living in London since November 2019 for medical treatment after a Pakistani court allowed him a four-week reprieve.