ISLAMABAD, Sept 28 (INP): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday sought reply from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by October 10 on the petitions filed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seeking his disqualification for his alleged involvement in Panama scandal.
The ECP heard the petitions seeking the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The ECP bench was headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Sardar Raza Khan and comprising four of its members.
At the very outset of the hearing, Prime Minister’s counsel raised questions over the ECP’s jurisdiction to hear the petition. The PM’s counsel former Attorney General Salman Butt pleaded the ECP to first hear the objections raised by them over the ECP’s jurisdiction.
When CEC asked the PM’s counsel as to why they did not file reply, he replied that the Prime Minister was out of the county, hence they could not file reply.
PPP’s counsel Sardar Latif Khosa said that the PM counsel was trying to dictate the ECP. He contended that during the last hearing the PM was directed to file reply but no reply was filed. Upon this the CEC said that it was ECP’s authority to take a decision. Addressing the PPP’s counsel, the CEC said: “Earlier too, you made the date an issue. The decision will not be taken at public meetings or anywhere else, rather the ECP will take the decision.”
Directing the Prime Minister to file reply, the ECP adjourned further hearing of the petition till October 10.
