The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday sought explanation from Pakistan Muslim League-N on the allegation that disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is chairing party meetings in violation of election rules. The ECP has summoned PML-N Chairman Senator Raja Zafarul Haq to respond to petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

Dr Yasmin Rashid of PTI and Khurram Nawaz Gandapur of PAT filed a petition invoking section (5) of the Political Parties Order 2002, according to which former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cannot chair party meetings after his disqualification under Article 62 of the Constitution in the Panama Papers case.

The petitioners argued before the ECP that Nawaz Sharif continued to chair party meetings in violation of the election rules. As PML-N is registered in the name of Nawaz Sharif and after his disqualification, the party should not function under his name. The PML-N a few days ago appointed Senator Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan Nasir as interim president of the party for 45 days. Earlier, the ECP had issued a notice to the PML-N last week for the appointment of a new party leader.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017