The Supreme Court of Pakistan has lifted a lifetime election ban on convicted lawmakers. This paves the way for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to run for a fourth term in upcoming elections.

In the ruling on Monday the court said the lifetime ban "abridges the fundamental rights of citizens to contest elections."

Last year, the government enacted the Election Amendment Act, which limits the disqualification of a lawmaker to a maximum of five years.

Sharif was ousted from the premiership in 2017 over corruption charges. He later went to London for medical treatment, but did not return until last October.

Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party is seen as a leading contender to win the national elections set for February 8.

His main rival, Imran Khan, is currently in custody. But he has also announced plans to run in the election. He is popular with young people and low-income workers.