Nawaz, BB not eligible to contest election

LAHORE—Federal Minsiter for Law, Justice and Human Rights Wasi Zafar has said that former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto are not eligible to contest elections as they both are involved in cases pending against them.
Talking to newsmen at launching of 'Urdu Version of Constitution of Pakistan Muslim League by Dr. Nabila Tariq, Vice President/Secretary Media Committee Pakistan Muslim League, Punjab at AL-Hamra here on Friday, he said " If they decided to come here and contest elections they would have to faces the cases."
To a question, the minister said as it is clear that they cannot participate in elections without being cleared by the courts, there should also be no doubt that accoriding to the constitution of the country a person cannot be a prime minister for the third time.
He said both they held the office of the premier twice each, therefore, under the constitution they are not eligible to become premier again. To a question about Women Rights Protection Bill, he said, the bill as approved by the Select Committee will be presented and approved in the next session of the National Assembly.
To a question regarding vows by opposition members to quit, the minister said, " In democratic set up everybody has the right to resign and if they want to quit assemblies they can do so; it would not affect functioning of the legislature." When asked about next elections, he said it would be held next year on the completion of tenure by the assemblies.
Earlier, he appreciated efforts of Dr. Nabila Tariq for translating constitution of PML into Urdu and said it is a great service as it would help common man to understand party's working. Provincial Minister Chaudhery ZaheerUddin, Mian Imran Masood, Qudsia Lodhi, party leaders and workers were also present on the occasion.
Dr. Nabila Tariq presented copy of Urdu version of PML's constitution to the Minister on the occasion. —Agencies