PML-N can’t expel lawmakers for meeting CM

A source in party’s legal wing says law, rule don’t support Thursday decision

LAHORE:

The PML-N has announced to expel five of its Punjab Assembly lawmakers for meeting Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar – who belongs to the PTI – without the leadership's permission. However, according to a member of the party’s legal team, the PML-N cannot do this as per law and party rules.

“The party cannot expel any of its members for holding meetings with leaders of the opposition camp. It can only expel someone for violating the party instructions during assembly proceedings, such as voting for the finance bill,” said a source in the PML-N legal wing while requesting anonymity.

On Thursday, the PML-N expelled five of its Punjab Assembly MPAs – Ashraf Ansari, Jaleel Sharaqpuri, Faisal Niazi, Nishat Khan Daha and Moulvi Ghayasuddin. These lawmakers had met Punjab chief minister earlier this year sans the leadership’s permission.

Talking to The Express Tribune, PML-N Punjab spokesperson Azma Bukhari claimed that under the political parties order, the parties are entitled to expel any of its members for violating party discipline.

“Under the law, the parties can determine what constitutes party rules violation. We will soon take up the matter with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to get these MPA’s de-seated,” she said.

The expelled MPAs have, however, refused to accept the party decision.

MPA Sharaqpuri said the party cannot oust them for having an independent opinion. He said political parties fight for democracy while they keep a dictatorship-like approach within.

“Which law restricts us from meeting leaders of the opposition camp? I was earlier issued a show-cause notice but I had made it clear to the party high-ups that we met the CM to discuss the issues of our constituencies.”

He said he was not leaving the PML-N and was still a part of it. He said he did not agree with all decisions of his party, adding that it was not necessary for a member to agree with everything that the party says.

“I don’t agree with the decision to execute Mumtaz Qadri [the policeman who killed Punjab former governor Salman Taseer]. This sentence was executed during the PML-N tenure.

“I don't agree with the position [PML-N supreme leader] Nawaz Sharif has lately adopted. It will lead to mutiny in Pakistan. The people do not agree with Nawaz Sharif’s policy of confrontation,” he added.

He said also supported the position of former interior minister Chaudary Nisar Ali Khan, who parted ways with Nawaz Sharif for adopting a confrontational policy.

“If I am kicked out of the PML-N, I too would raise the slogan “Mujha Kuin Nikala [why I was sacked?].” Nawaz had raised the slogan when the apex court disqualified him in July 2017.