Disqualification race: In latest reference, PML-N targets Tareen

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq handed documents

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) upped the stakes in its running battle of references against the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday, targeting PTI secretary general Jehangir Khan Tareen for loan write-offs, owning properties abroad, concealing agriculture income and hiding tax details.

The latest reference – filed with the National Assembly speaker – is seeking the disqualification of Tareen.

“Action has been sought under Article 63 of the Constitution that covers grounds to disqualify an elected legislator from parliament,” PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry told The Express Tribune.

Daniyal Aziz, Maiza Hameed and Talal Chaudhry of the PML-N submitted the reference with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

“It’s a simple case of political victimisation,” Tareen said in a statement, adding it would not deter his resolve to hold the Sharif family accountable for their corruption.



On August 5, the PML-N filed a disqualification reference against PTI chairman Imran Khan for concealing details about offshore companies and providing incorrect data of personal assets.

On August 18, Imran Khan’s party placed before the speaker a reference seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for ‘breaching’ public trust and allegedly engaging in money laundering, tax evasion and election rigging.

Opposition parties and the government have also filed separate references against each other with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Talal Chaudhry said there is great disparity between taxable agriculture income declared by Tareen in his returns at the time of submission of his nomination papers before the last general elections and the returns he filed with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

“Black money was then utilised to purchase properties abroad under the name of Tareen’s children,” Talal claimed.

The second ground for disqualification, he said, is the loans he managed to write off during Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s regime when Tareen was a minister.

Another ground, Talal said, is related to tactical acquirement of shares of a sugar mill in Jamal Din Wali area. Talal informed that the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) also imposed a fine on Tareen which, he duly submitted with the authority. “We have proof of submission of fine,” Talal added.

Responding to these points, Tareen said he was one of the top taxpaying politicians of the country. “I will not compromise on the politics of accountability due to such a fake reference.”

Tareen added that along with PTI chief Imran Khan he would take the PTI’s on-going Accountability Movement to its logical end. “It does not matter if I remain part of parliament or not, the PTI will continue its struggle against corruption and corrupt politicians.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2016.