A Multan sessions court on Monday sentenced former Member of the National Assembly Jamshed Dasti to 17 years in prison after finding him guilty of using fake academic degrees to contest elections.
Court Verdict and Charges
The case, initiated by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), revealed that Dasti contested the 2008 general elections from NA-178 Muzaffargarh on the basis of a forged BA degree, allegedly issued by a madrassa. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) later confirmed that no such record existed.
He was also accused of submitting a fake FA certificate during his 2024 election run from NA-175 Muzaffargarh.
The court convicted him under multiple sections of the law:
Section 420 (cheating)
Section 468 (forgery of documents)
Section 471 (using forged documents as genuine)
Section 206, along with violations of Articles 62 & 63 of the Constitution regarding eligibility for public office.
Along with his prison sentence, Dasti was fined Rs10,000.
Political Fallout
Dasti had already been disqualified by the ECP earlier for holding a fake degree, and his assembly seat was vacated. Monday’s verdict further cements his ineligibility for public office and highlights the judiciary’s strict stance on misrepresentation and dishonesty in politics.
Why It Matters
The sentencing of a former lawmaker sends a strong signal about accountability in Pakistan’s political system. With the enforcement of Articles 62 and 63, candidates are under greater scrutiny to ensure that those seeking office meet the constitutional requirements of truthfulness and integrity.
