Disqualification of Imran and Tareen: ECP dismisses two petitions over non-prosecution

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday dismissed two petitions, seeking disqualifications of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Jehangir Tareen, over non-prosecution.
The petitioner Shahnawaz Dhiloan had sought disqualification of Imran Khan for concealing his offshore company. In the reference, Dhiloan alleged that Imran Khan had set up offshore company, Niazi Services, to conceal his assets details.
The petitions against Jehangir Tareen were filed separately by Malik Khalil Ahmed and Bilal Mustafa Bhutta.
The ECP also adjourned the hearing of disqualification of Liaquat Khan Tarakai till November 16. The petitioner, Awami National Party's Bushra Gohar, pleaded that the action against proposer and seconder of Liaquat Khan Tarakai who had recommended him for contesting Senate election despite knowing that he owned offshore companies
On Wednesday, PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi represented Imran Khan in ECP. While talking to media before the hearing of case against disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Shairf, he said: "ECP is an independent forum and has the mandate to hear the disqualification case of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif".
He said that the parties had summed up their argument before the full bench of ECP, seeking disqualification of the prime minister, adding the ECP would decide if they should wait for SC decision.
While talking to media, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) lawyer Latif Khosa said that ECP is a constitutional body to hear disqualification cases of elected members of parliament.
Prime Minister and his family members submitted vague statements in the commission. "It seems Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif does not want to give any response regarding Panama leaks", he said.
"His [Sharif family] counsel didn't answer the money trail. He didn't share anything with the commission that the money was transferred abroad by Sharif family", he added.
Khosa demanded that the public should know how Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family owned offshore companies.
Awami Muslim League (AML) Shaikh Rasheed said that ECP was also waiting for the verdict of Supreme Court of Pakistan. Citing some cases in which ECP disqualified parliamentarians, he said a member of parliament had been disqualified over funding his son.
Similarly, some members involved in illegal occupation of lands, had to face disqualification by ECP in the past. "And as far as the case against the prime minister is concerned, it is straight disqualification," he added.
Anusha Rahman of ruling government criticised Imran Khan, saying he is an 'expert liar'. She said if Imran Khan had any proof against Nawaz Sharif and his family, he must produce it before the commission.