ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday accepted has accepted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition seeking early hearing of its plea for disqualification of senator-elect Yousuf Raza Gilani and fixed the case for today (Tuesday) today.
The ruling party had also filed an application with the electoral body seeking disqualification of Gilani’s son Ali Haider Gilani from the Punjab Assembly. Both the petitions will be heard today (Tuesday) at 10am.
“The issuance of the notification should be stopped till action on the video scandal is completed,” the petition filed by ruling party lawmakers Farrukh Habib, Maleeka Bokhari and Kanwal Shauzab stated.
“Ali Haider Gilani kept bribing members of the National Assembly,” the petitioners claimed. They also alleged that PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz, in her speeches, made promises of giving lawmakers PML-N ticket in the next general elections if they voted for Mr Gilani in the Senate polls.
According to the petition, “The matter is extremely important as a senator elected with corrupt practices is now aspiring to become the chairman of Senate,” adding, “It is a matter of utmost importance, which will have far-reaching consequences.”
“The election of Yousuf Raza Gilani has been a rare incident in the national political history,” the plea further said, adding, “Hopefully, the election commission will hear the matter urgently, as it heard the issue related to by-election in NA-75, Daska.”
The petition was filed on the basis of a leaked audio clip of Sindh Minister Nasir Hussain Shah purportedly bargaining with four PTI lawmakers for their votes in Senate elections and a video of Mr Gilani’s son Ali Haider.
Ali Haider Gilani admitted to his conversation with the PTI lawmakers, but said he was just responding to their question as to what to do if the votes were made traceable by a barcode. He, however, said he had made no attempt to ‘buy’ votes.
