ECP Disqualifies MNA Jamshed Dasti Over Fake Degree
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disqualified Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Jamshed Dasti after determining he held a fake educational degree.
The decision was issued by a three-member ECP bench, led by Nisar Ahmed Durrani and comprising Shah Mohammad Jatoi and Justice (retd) Ikram Ullah Khan. The verdict came in response to two petitions, including a reference from the National Assembly speaker, seeking Dasti’s disqualification.
In its written judgment, the commission declared Dasti’s seat vacant and ordered legal proceedings under Section 190(2) of the Elections Act, 2017, along with other applicable laws. The bench found that Dasti had made false statements and incorrect declarations, thereby committing the offense of corrupt practices under Sections 167 and 173, punishable under Section 174 of the Act.
Earlier in May, the ECP had initiated the verification of Dasti’s academic credentials through the Karachi Education Board.
Dasti, elected from NA-175 Muzaffargarh in the last general elections, faced proceedings under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, as well as Sections 4, 9, and 137 of the Elections Act, 2017. The petitions against him were filed by Ameer Akbar, Zulfiqar Dogar, and Sardar Faizul Hassan.
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During the hearings, led by the same ECP bench, petitioner Ameer Akbar alleged that Dasti had falsely claimed to possess an FA (Intermediate) degree in his nomination papers, despite not even completing matriculation. The lawyer further revealed that Bahawalpur University had declared Dasti’s FA and BA degrees as fake, while the matriculation certificate he later submitted from the Karachi Board also raised doubts.
The ECP member from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa noted that the commission had the authority to disqualify a candidate based on false educational claims and undeclared assets.
With the ruling, Jamshed Dasti stands disqualified from holding public office, and his National Assembly seat has been vacated pending further legal action.