Pakistan court allows Sharifs to take back Punjab

ISLAMABAD, (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Supreme Court yesterday suspended a ruling barring former Prime Minister Nawaz  Sharif and his brother from holding elected office and restored  their government in the key province of Punjab.

President Asif Ali Zardari plunged Pakistan into a  political crisis a month ago by dismissing the government in  Punjab after the Supreme Court ruled that the Sharif brothers  could not hold elected office because of old convictions.

The court in its latest decision suspended the late  February ruling and allowed Shahbaz Sharif, who was chief  minister of Punjab, to resume office.“The operation of the February 25 order has been  suspended,” Judge Tassaquq Hussain Jilani told the court.

However, while Shahbaz Sharif has been allowed to resume  office, Nawaz Sharif must await a final petition ruling which  seeks to lift a ban on him running for parliament. The former  prime minister is currently not a member of parliament.

Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani welcomed  restoration of Sharif’s government in Punjab and hoped it would  promote political reconciliation in the country.