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The Sindh High Court has dismissed a petition seeking the disqualification of Pakistan Peoples Party leader and National Assembly member Shazia Marri over an alleged fake degree. The court announced its decision after the case remained pending for around 13 years. The petition was declared not maintainable and subsequently rejected. The court said the High Court does not have constitutional authority to disqualify a member of Parliament. According to the court, such matters must be dealt with through the relevant constitutional and electoral forums. The court also noted that a similar objection had previously been raised during the 2018 general elections. The matter was taken before an election tribunal at that time. The Election Commission later rejected the objection concerning Marri’s degree in 2022. An appeal against the tribunal’s decision was subsequently filed before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in 2023 after it was withdrawn. During the latest proceedings, Marri’s lawyer argued that the degree issue had already been examined by the Election Commission. He told the court that evidence relating to the qualification had been presented before the commission. The lawyer maintained that the Election Commission had already rejected the petition concerning Marri’s degree. The court also discussed the constitutional requirements for disqualification. It observed that a person cannot be disqualified simply through a constitutional petition. The court said the authority to determine whether a person meets the required constitutional standards rests with the appropriate judicial and electoral forums. It further stated that the courts cannot declare an individual truthful and trustworthy outside the constitutional procedure provided for such matters. The judges also referred to previous orders of the Supreme Court while determining the maintainability of the petition. Based on these considerations, the court concluded that the petition could not be entertained. The decision brings an end to a legal challenge that had remained pending for more than a decade. The case had focused on allegations concerning Marri’s educational qualification. However, the Election Commission had already rejected the related objection. The latest ruling also reinforces the distinction between the powers of the High Court and those of election tribunals and other constitutional forums in matters involving parliamentary eligibility. The court’s decision means that the petition seeking Marri’s disqualification has been dismissed without granting the requested relief.

Punjab Police suspended 78 officials of Lahore’s Ghaziabad Police Station after an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a mentally challenged young woman inside the police station. The action followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused under rape provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Police Order 2002. Senior police authorities immediately took notice of the incident and ordered the arrest of the suspect. According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, his 19 to 20-year-old daughter, who has a mental disability, left home on Sunday afternoon and did not return for some time. During the search, a local resident allegedly informed the family that a policeman in plain clothes had taken the girl away. The complainant said he rushed to the Ghaziabad Police Station, where he was told that his daughter had already been sent home. After returning home, he found her in distress. He alleged that she told him a police official had taken her to the station and sexually assaulted her. Following the complaint, police registered a case and arrested the accused ASI. Authorities also launched both criminal and departmental investigations into the matter. As part of disciplinary action, 78 police personnel, including the station house officer (SHO), sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, front desk officials and other staff members, were suspended over alleged negligence, poor supervision and failure to maintain discipline at the police station. All suspended officials have been directed to report to Police Lines until further orders. Police officials said maintaining discipline and ensuring a safe environment at police stations is the responsibility of every officer. They warned that negligence or irresponsible conduct would not be tolerated and pledged strict accountability at the police station level. A new SHO has been appointed to take charge of Ghaziabad Police Station while the investigation continues. Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt strongly condemned the incident, describing it as deeply disturbing and calling for strict legal action against those responsible. Police said further legal and departmental proceedings will be carried out after the investigation is completed.