PTI challenges Maryam Nawaz’s appointment as PML-N vice-president

An application submitted at the ECP declares Maryam’s key position in the party contrary to the Constitution

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday submitted an application to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) challenging Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) decision to appoint Maryam Nawaz Sharif as one of the party’s 16 vice-presidents, Radio Pakistan reported.



In a major reshuffle, Shehbaz Sharif restructured the party a day after abandoning chairmanship of parliament’s key accountability forum, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

As per the restructuring, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi became PML-N’s senior vice president while former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal became the central general secretary.

For the first time, Maryam and Shehbaz’s son Hamza Shehbaz were appointed as vice presidents of the party. Other key positions were allocated to people regarded close to former premier Nawaz Sharif.

According to the PTI’s application, filed by Farrukh Habib, Maleeka Bukhari, Kanwal Shauzab and Javeria Zafar at the ECP, the appointment of Maryam as PML-N’s vice president was contrary to the Constitution.

“Maryam Nawaz has been declared disqualified for any political or public office,” maintained the ruling party in the application.

Later talking to the media representatives outside the ECP, Maleeka Bukhari said, “Any party position to Maryam Nawaz is a violation of Article-62 and Article-63 of the Constitution as she is a convict.”



“PTI will continue its efforts for ensuring the supremacy of the constitution in the country, and it will not let anyone usurp people's rights,” said Farrukh Habib.

PTI’s Kanwal Shauzab said no one would be allowed to violate the constitution.