Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that popular former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his politician brother can contest elections, removing a cause of political uncertainty in recent months. A Feb. 25 court decision to disqualify Sharif and his brother Shahbaz from holding office sparked massive protests in March, plunging the nuclear-armed country into turmoil and unnerving its Western allies. Tuesday's decision clears the first hurdle for Sharif to try to return to power in elections due in 2013, and the court move will likely ease political tensions in Pakistan, which is also beset by a bloody Taleban uprising. The Supreme Court order stated that the initial high court ruling in June 2008 banning the brothers because of criminal convictions and the Feb. 25 ruling upholding that decision “are set aside.” “Nawaz Sharif can contest elections and Shahbaz Sharif will continue as Chief Minister of Punjab province,” said Ashtar Ausaf, the brothers' lawyer. “This is a decision welcomed by the entire nation,” Sharif told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore. “Today an independent judiciary is giving independent decisions.” President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed the court ruling, saying in a statement he hoped Sharif's party would play “a greater role in strengthening democracy.” Sharif said his party would decide if and when he would contest a byelection. Pakistani stocks ended flat as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the court decision, closing 0.05 percent higher at 7,176.89. The court decision came after the market had closed but dealers said investors were likely to react positively on Wednesday. Analysts say Nawaz Sharif has long had his eye on becoming prime minister again but in order to do that parliament will have to lift a ban on former prime ministers serving a third term. “The verdict will have a positive impact on the country's politics,” analyst Shafqat Mahmood said. “Both Nawaz and Shahbaz are very popular leaders,” he added.
