Pakistan's Foreign Minister disqualified as Member of Parliament for holding UAE Work Permit

April 26,2018:

On Thursday, Islamabad High Court disqualified Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif as a Member of Parliament because he holds an 'iqama', or a work permit, from United Arab Emirates.

Petition was filed by member of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, who lost elections to Asif in 2013, sought Asif's disqualification for holding the foreign permit.

Special Bench of Islamabad HC comprising of Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, stated that Asif was not even qualified to contest polls in 2013.

Petitioner had alleged that Asif had Unlimited Term Employment Contract with International Mechanical and Electrical Co (IMECO). He was hired as full-time employee in July, 2011 and held various positions.

He claimed that Asif under the contract was to receive a monthly basic salary of AED 35,000 along with a monthly allowance of AED 15,000, which he did not declare.

During the hearing, Asif had submitted a letter from the company that he was not full time employee and only worked as a consultant whose presence was not needed in the UAE, where the company is based.

Asif is one of top leaders of ruling Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz and his disqualification is considered a huge blow to the party ahead of election scheduled to be held after June.