Pakistan bars ex-PM Ashraf from contesting elections

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was barred from contesting May 11 parliamentary elections for being dishonest, poll officials said.The candidature of Ashraf was challenged on the ground of alleged misuse of discretionary funds in his constituency in Rawalpindi near the Pakistani capital Islamabad, alleged corruption in awarding of a contract and in the purchase of Rental Power Projects, and contempt of court.He was also accused of elevating his two son-in-laws to high posts which were described as glaring examples of nepotism, favoritism and naked corruption, Xinhua reported.Asharf's rival had approached the local election authorities for disqualifying him from contesting elections as the country's constitution does not allow a corrupt candidate to stand for polls.The local election authorities had rejected his candidacy. However he had appealed to an election tribunal in a High Court, which also rejected his appeal late Monday.Ashraf's defense lawyer said that an appeal would be filed in the Supreme Court against the tribunal's decision.Ashraf was the second former Prime Minister barred from contesting the May 11 elections.The Supreme Court has disqualified Yusuf Raza Gilani after he was unseated for defying the court orders to send a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Zardari.