Any error in disqualification judgment can cause irreparable harm, says IHC CJ.

ISLAMABAD -- Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah stated on Thursday that any error in an elected representative's disqualification judgment results in irreparable harm, adding that the parliament can create its own mechanism for holding representatives accountable.

The IHC CJ's remarks came as the court released the detailed judgment over dismissing the pleas seeking disqualification of former president and PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry.

'As a judge, I do not claim superiority over the elected representatives,' the chief justice stated in his verdict.

He furthered that the 'high standard' of Sadiq and Amin did not exist for any office holder other than elected representatives. Justice Minallah added that this standard did not exist even for 'unelected' individuals who have ruled the country for half of Pakistan's life.

The court maintained that the effects of disqualification under Article 62 (1)(f) were 'profound' and that the parliament could create its own mechanism for self-accountability of representatives.

The judgment stated that neither of the two politicians had been convicted by any court of law, and that their disqualification was sought on disputed facts.

CJ Minallah declared that disqualifying an elected representative on disputed grounds requires investigation, adding that political opponents...