ECP orders PML-N to explain Nawaz's political activities

Party ordered to submit its response by September 13

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a notice to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday ordering the party to explain why deposed PM Nawaz Sharif was engaged in political activities.

The PML-N has been told to submit its response by September 13.

The commission was hearing similar applications filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the Pakistan Awami Tehreek and a citizen, Niaz Inquilabi.



The applicants contended that the former premier should not be allowed to participate in political activities  as he had been disqualified by the top court.

They demanded that Sharif be declared ineligible for membership of any political party and using Nawaz’s name for the party be declared contrary to law and Constitution. The applicants urged the ECP to enlist the party carrying Nawaz's name as a banned organisation

The commission clubbed the applications as one and issued a notice to PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, seeking a response by September 13.

On July 28, a five-member Supreme Court bench hearing the Panama Papers case of Sharif family’s offshore assets had disqualified Nawaz from the PM’s office for failing to declare a salary, which he had not withdrawn as an executive of Dubai-based company, as an asset when filing his nomination papers in 2013.