RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday held hearing of disqualification of disgruntled Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) MNA Ayesha Gulalai.

She pleaded before the ECP to grant her some time to hire services of a lawyer to contest the case in the commission. She also explained her position before the commission.

Talking outside ECP office, she said she received a letter from ECP on August 31 requesting to appear before the commission. The ECP had summoned the parliamentarian over disqualification reference sent by PTI.

She said she appeared because PTI had issued a notice for removing her from the party, added that she had given her everything to this party. She slammed Pakistan PTI Chairman Imran Khan stating that he had no right to oust her from the party. She vowed that she had not left PTI and never would.

In another case, the ECP has once again directed PTI to submit detailed party foreign funding accounts till September 11. The commission was hearing the petition filed by former PTI worker Akbar S Babar.

During the proceedings, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) former Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza remarked that PTI’s defiance to comply with the directives of ECP was beyond his understanding. “Why is PTI not following the directive of ECP,” he questioned.

The PTI counsel reiterated that the matter is under observation in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Hearing the arguments, CEC ruled that ECP would stop proceedings in the case if the court issues stay order.

Adjourning the hearing till September 11, the CEC said it was giving last chance to the party for submission of the records.