PTI to move ECP to get Nawaz out as PML-N chief

PTI women workers rally behind party chairman after Gulalai’s allegations

LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to move the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against Nawaz Sharif after it emerged that the former prime minister had presided over a party meeting in Murree in violation of law.

Following his disqualification by the Supreme Court, Sharif cannot hold the office of party president under the Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002.

A proviso in Section 5 of the PPO-2002 states: “Provided that a person shall not be appointed or serve as an office-bearer of a political party if he is not qualified to be, or is disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-i-Shoora (parliament) under Article 63 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan or under any other law for the time being in force.”

In this context, the PTI has decided to file an application with the ECP, requesting it to remove Sharif as head of the PML-N.



“The party has completed all legal formalities and I will file an application with the ECP in a couple of days after getting formal approval from Chairman Imran Khan,” Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed said on Thursday.

The PTI MPA noted that after Sharif’s disqualification he was no more ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Amin’ and therefore “ineligible to hold any office”.

“Under the law, Nawaz Sharif cannot join any political party as a worker, then how can he hold his party’s office?” Rasheed asked.

“The involvement of former prime minister in the formation of a new federal cabinet and nomination of the new prime minister during a party meeting chaired by him are also illegal,” he added.

The provincial lawmaker urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the nomination of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister by him and declare his appointment null and void.

Meanwhile, PTI’s Women Wing Executive Member Musarrat Jamshed Cheema said: “The party’s women leaders and workers stand in resolute and unflinching solidarity with PTI Chairman Imran Khan.”



She added that was proof in itself that Ayesha Gulalai’s allegations were false and baseless.

Addressing a PTI women’s convention, Ms Cheema said she paid homage to PTI women leaders, including Saadia Sohail Rana, Rubeena Jameel, Aysha Iqbal, Shahnaz Khan, Sobia Kamal, Sameena Sohail, Guzala Rafiq, Saba Butt, Showana Bashir, Naziya Gilani and Aaliya Hamzah for their unconditional support to their party chief.

She defended the PTI chairman by saying that women were treated with honour and respect in the party, and that the accusations were an attempt to defame the party chairman.

Ms Cheema said the party’s women workers had launched a campaign on social media to dismiss allegations levelled by former party member Ayesha Gulalai. “This shows the respect they have for their leader.”

She said the PTI’s women workers were a frontline squad and would stand with the party’s leadership come what may.

Ms Cheema said every woman worker was aware of the nefarious conspiracy and propaganda launched against Imran Khan.

“Despite all this, we are confident women will play a vital role in the party’s win in the next general elections.”

She said Gulalai should seek an apology from the nation, women in particular, for her false allegations.