PTI lawmakers' disqualification IHC seeks more arguments

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday sought more arguments on a petition seeking disqualification of three lawmakers belonging to ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The IHC on August 31 reserved its verdict on a petition seeking disqualification of three lawmakers Maleeka Ali Bokhari, Tashfeen Safdar and Kanwal Shauzab after hearing the concluding arguments from the lawyers of lawmakers and the law officer representing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

In October last year, Abdullah Khan from Islamabad and Chaudhry Mehmood Ali Hashim from Gujrat had challenged the eligibility of MNAs, alleging that they are dual nationals. Hearing the case, IHC Justice Aamer Farooq asked the counsel of three members to inform the court about the date of submission of nomination papers. The court asked the PTI members' lawyer to inform the court about the exact date of submission of nomination papers and the last date for submission of nomination papers.

The court sought written arguments from the counsel of Maleeka Ali Bokhari. The court adjourned the hearing of the case till November 15. During the previous hearing, the petitioners' counsel requested the court to direct the lawmakers to explain their position and in case the court is not satisfied with the legality of their holding public offices, the ECP be directed to de-notify them under the Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

The petition said that Shauzab's permanent and present addresses are of Rawalpindi and Sargodha, but she had misled the ECP about her residence and registration of vote and is, therefore, ineligible for contesting the election of the National Assembly.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019