ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday clipped together four identical petitions against deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif for indulging in political activities even after his disqualification by the Supreme Court.
The commission directed Sharif’s counsel to submit his response to the petitions on next hearing and adjourned the matter till September 26.
Headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Raza Khan, a bench was hearing the petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Awami Tehreek and two individuals against Sharif’s political activities after his disqualification in the Panamagate case.
Advocate Babar Awan, who represented the PTI petitioner, requested the commission to restrain Nawaz Sharif from chairing party meetings and holding any position in any political party.
He had earlier submitted that Nawaz Sharif was ineligible for membership of any political party after his disqualification by the Supreme Court on July 28 under Article 62 of the constitution in the Panamagate case. The ECP was further requested to bar the party from using the name of Nawaz Sharif.
The Supreme Court’s judgment dated July 28 disqualified Nawaz Sharif from the office of prime minister for not disclosing his ‘un-drawn’ salaries from a UAE firm. Following the judgment, the ECP issued a notification de-notifying Nawaz Sharif as member of the National Assembly from Lahore’s NA-120.
Published in Daily Times, September 14th 2017.
