Ex-MNA Jamshed Dasti sentenced to seven years in fake degree case

A district and sessions judge in Multan has sentenced former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Jamshed Dasti to seven years in prison in a fake degree case.

Dasti, who heads the Awami Raj Party, was convicted under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution for contesting elections on the basis of forged academic credentials. He was also found guilty under Sections 420 (cheating) and 471 (using forged documents) of the Pakistan Penal Code, among other charges. The total sentence handed down amounts to 17 years, of which 10 years are bailable.

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The case followed a ruling by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) two months ago, which disqualified Dasti over fake academic credentials and declared his National Assembly seat vacant. In its judgment, the ECP said Dasti had made false statements and filed incorrect declarations, which amounted to corrupt practices under the Elections Act, 2017.

Earlier in May, the ECP had directed the Karachi Education Board to verify Dasti’s educational certificates. Dasti was elected from NA-175, Muzaffargarh, in the last general elections. Multiple petitions had been filed against him by political opponents, including Ameer Akbar, Zulfiqar Dogar, and Sardar Faizul Hassan.