ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday asked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and PML-N MNA Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar to file replies in the disqualification reference and application respectively against them on November 22.
The Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza expressed displeasure over non-appearance of applicant Khalid Dhaha for the second consecutive time, as the Election Commission bench resumed hearing the disqualification references against Imran and PTI’s Secretary General MNA Jehangir Tareen.
The bench observed that the proceedings could not be delayed for the arrival of disqualification reference filers, when informed they were on their way. It is interesting to note that both the PML-N leaders, Talal Chaudhry and Daniyal Aziz, came to the Election Commission after hearing was adjourned but they insisted they had arrived according to the time given to them. They alleged, not they, it was Imran, who was running away from presenting proof of his innocence.
The EC also served notices on MNA Talal Chaudhry and Dhaha for November 22. Tareen’s lawyer contended that the applicant against his client had not appeared for the second time and hence he was not serious, therefore, the reference should be put aside.
He also said that without hearing Tareen, the NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had forwarded the reference against him to the Election Commission. The ECP bench also directed the lawyer of Muhammad Safdar to submit reply to the disqualification application filed by his rival, belonging to PTI, Nawabzada Salahuddin on November 22.
“The applicant, who had filed a reference against Imran is himself staying away from the Election Commission, after the reference was filed with great fanfare, as it is based on a total lie,” claimed PTI information secretary Naeemul Haq while talking to journalists.
Haq said the Election Commission had issued a warning to the courtiers, who were unwilling now to pursue the disqualification references. He added whatever forum the ruling PML would approach, it would have to face embarrassment and disappointment. He alleged the aim of filing reference against Imran was to blackmail him and silence him on the corruption of Sharif family.
The Election Commission directed PTI Senator Liaquat Tarakai to file reply to the application filed by Awami National Party’s leader Bushra Gohar on November 29. She alleges that Tarakai concealed information while filing his nomination papers and submitting documents in FBR.
Later, talking to media persons, Talal and Daniyal charged that Imran, who wanted to hold the Prime Minister accountable, was running away from the court. They claimed evidence had been presented against him and now he was not filing reply to it.
They contended that now Imran would tell a story of lie to the nation, as he had already done on 35 punctures during 2013 general election. They claimed Imran would have to apologise to the nation for lying to them.
PTI’s Faisal Javed while reacting to media talk of Talal and Daniyal, said that the government lawmakers had told concocted stories to the media while skipping hearing at the Election Commission, which reflected nervousness on the part of the ruling party leadership.
He charged the statements by the prime minister and the Sharif family suggested they wanted to refer to late Muhammad Sharif whatever was in the court from Panama Papers to London properties.