ECP to hear references against 3 MPs tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will take up for hearing the disqualification references against three members of the Parliament (MPs) — PMLN MNA Adil Bazai, PTI’s MNA Sohail Sultan and Senator Saifullah Abro — on Wednesday (tomorrow).

According to the cause list, issued by the ECP, PMLN President Nawaz Sharif sought Bazai’s disqualification under Article 63A, who had not turned up for voting on the 26th constitutional amendment in the National Assembly. NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq sent the reference to the ECP and also wrote a letter in this connection.

Likewise, a reference for disqualification of Sohail Sultan, a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from NA-4 under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, has been filed by one Nasrullah Khan, a resident of Swat, from where Sohail was elected with the support of the PTI in general election on February 8.

The NA speaker forwarded the reference seeking disqualification of Sohail Sultan. The reference alleged that Sohail Sultan provided false information to the ECP regarding his employment status. It claimed that the PTI legislator held the position of KP deputy attorney general before his election, which was a violation of the election law, barring the government employees from contesting elections until two years after their retirement.

The complaint demanded immediate disqualification of Sohail Sultan and called for swift action by the speaker, who forwarded it to the ECP, seeking legal action to assess the validity of claims and determine Sultan’s disqualification status.

Also, a reference under Clause (2) of Article 63 of the Constitution has been filed by Senator Shahadat Awan of the PPP and one Majid Mahmood against Senator Abro. The references against these legislators have been scheduled for hearing after having been received from Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani and NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Adil Bazai was elected from Quetta’s NA-262 constituency, as an independent candidate, and then he joined the PMLN. Later, he deviated from the party policy; he was seen often on the opposition benches, and allegedly criticising the government.

The reference, seeking disqualification of Senator Saifullah Abro under Article 63(2) of the Constitution, was filed with the Senate Secretariat by PPP Senator Shahadat Awan and Majid Mahmood from Islamabad. The PTI senator from Sindh had been accused of concealing his income and lacking the required experience to qualify for a technocrat seat.

Abro was elected as a senator on a technocrat seat in 2021 on the PTI ticket from Sindh. It has been alleged in the reference that the documents he submitted about his experience were misleading. It contended that the minimum requirement for the technocrat seat was 20 years of relevant experience, which the complainants claim Abro did not possess. The reference also alleged that he submitted bogus documents related to multibillion-rupee projects, including the Larkana flyover and metro bus project in Multan. Moreover, the senator is accused of deliberately withholding information about his children and failing to disclose income generated from his agricultural land.