ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of various disqualification petitions including Panama Papers till September 28.
The ECP also summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan – on September 28 – on a petition pleading his disqualification on alleged concealing and making false assets claims and forwarding false information in his election nomination papers.
Shahnawaz Dhiloan – the petitioner – had sought disqualification of Imran Khan for concealing his offshore company. In the reference, Dhiloan alleged that Khan had set up offshore company – Niazi Services – to conceal his assets details. The ECP also clubbed the corruption in PTI funds case with Panama Papers cases.
The ECP adjourned the hearing of disqualification reference filed against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar till September 28. The prime minister’s counsel – former Attorney General Salman Butt – pleaded before the court for additional time to study the case due to non-availability the case papers.
The disqualification references were filed by Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Yasmin Rashid – former candidate of PTI who contested elections against Nawaz Sharif in the last general elections. Meanwhile, the ECP also dismissed yet another disqualification reference against the prime minister due to non-appearance of the petitioner – Waheed Kamal.
The ECP also took up the reference filed against National Assembly Member Captain (r) Safdar for his disqualification. Salman Butt also represented him. Lawyer of Nabzada Salahuddin said Safdar has challenged the jurisdiction of the commission and Safdar’s lawyer was directed to file response before September 28.
The ECP also adjourned the hearing of National Assembly Member Jehangir Tareen’s disqualification case till September 28 and directed his lawyer to submit a response to the allegations made against his client before next hearing of the case.
