Nawaz Sharif will no longer remain the party?s president after SC verdict-Photo: File

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar on Wednesday ruled that a disqualified individual cannot head a political party.

Nawaz disqualified as PML-N president: SC announces verdict in Elections Act case

All decisions taken by Nawaz as PML-N president stand null and void

The decision by the three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar is considered another blow to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League?Nawaz (PML-N) as Nawaz Sharif will no longer remain the party?s president. As a result of the verdict, all decisions taken by Nawaz Sharif as PML-N?s president stand null and void.

Analysts and politicians shared their views with Geo News on the verdict, what lays ahead for the PML-N and whether Senate elections could be delayed.

'Bigger verdict than Panama'

Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rasheed said the verdict in the Elections Act 2017 case is bigger than the Panama Papers verdict.

Rasheed added that in light of Nawaz?s disqualification as PML-N president, Lodhran's election can be challenged and it remains to be seen ? who will be Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi?s replacement?.

?Nawaz Sharif?s politics has come to end now,? claimed the AML chief.

'PML-N shouldn't have elected disqualified person'

Lawyer Farogh Naseem said that according to points in the verdict being announced by the media, the apex court has not said anything regarding Senate elections and whether they will be delayed.

When asked if the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will have the right to decide on Senate elections, Naseem said the ECP doesn?t have any right to delay elections.

It remains to be seen whether their party tickets are cancelled or the candidates withdraw [from elections], he added.

?They shouldn?t have elected disqualified person,? the lawyer said when asked what lies ahead for the ruling party.

Asked whether Lodhran by-election will also stand null and void, he said he can?t comment on it before reading the judgment.

'Don?t think SC will disenfranchise an entire province' 

Analyst Muneeb Farooq said it is unlikely that the Supreme Court will disenfranchise an entire province by declaring all Senate tickets awarded to PML-N null and void.

?I don?t think Supreme Court will deprive a whole province and a huge party from contesting Senate elections,? he said.

Farooq said that there is still time in Senate elections and a delay might not be needed [for PML-N to contest elections].

This remains a question whether another round of candidate list will be submitted by PML-N or not, he added.