ECP hears disqualification references against PMLN, PTI MPs

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday heard disqualification references against two PTI MPs and one PMLN Member of the National Assembly.

A three-member bench — headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja — heard the references.

The bench gave time to PTI Senator Saifullah Abro to submit his reply in the disqualification reference. On behalf of Abro, who made his way to the Senate on a technocrat seat, his lawyer maintained that they had not received a copy of the application. The Election Commission accepted the plea and directed the PTI legislator to submit his reply and adjourned the hearing till November 11.

PPP Senator Shahadat Awan and Majid Mehmood from Islamabad had filed a reference against Saifullah Abro, alleging that he had submitted fake experience documents for the technocrat seat and did not declare complete assets along with the nomination papers.

Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani had forwarded the reference to the electoral body a few days back. The Election Commission bench also heard the reference against PMLN MNA Adil Bazai for not voting in favor of the budget and subsequently for the recent 26th Amendment.

The National Assembly speaker had sent the reference to the Election Commission upon receiving it from the PMLN President Nawaz Sharif, seeking necessary action. Bazai’s lawyers appeared before the bench. The MNA’s brother explained to the forum that they knew nothing about his whereabouts.

The bench directed to provide a copy of the reference to the lawyer of Bazai and sought a reply thereon, while adjourning the hearing till November 5. Bazai had won from NA-262, Quetta in the Feb 8 general elections as an independent candidate and afterwards joined the PMLN. However, according to the reference, he had not voted for the finance bill as well as the 26th Amendment despite instructions of the PMLN parliamentary party.

The third reference was filed against MNA Sohail Sultan by one Nasrullah Khan, who is a resident of Swat, from where Sohail was elected in the general elections, enjoying PTI’s support.

Sohail Sultan, his lawyer and counsel for the petitioner appeared before the forum. His lawyer contended that their case was already pending with the High Court and that now it would go to the constitution bench of the High Court. The lawyer said a constitution bench would be formed in the High Court after a resolution by the provincial assembly.

ECP Member Sindh Nisar Ahmad Durrani argued that they had nothing to do with the constitutional benches. “We are a constitutional forum ourselves,” he emphasized.

However, the chief election commissioner pointed out that the High Court had issued a stay order till November 7 and added that they would continue the proceedings after the vacation of the stay. The hearing was adjourned till November 11.

The reference was filed for disqualification of Sohail Sultan, MNA from NA-4 (Swat), under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, which alleged that the lawmaker had provided false information to the ECP regarding his employment status.