PTI expels two MPAs for allegedly 'selling votes' during Senate polls

Aslam Abro and Sheharyar Sher may also be de-seated from Sindh Assembly, says disciplinary committee

KARACHI:

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday expelled two of its members for allegedly 'selling their votes' during the March 3 Senate elections.

According to a statement by the PTI's central media department, Aslam Abro and Sheharyar Sher have been expelled from the party for violating the code of conduct.

Sher belonged to the PS-I Jacobabad while Sheharyar was elected from the PS-18 Ghotki-I constituency on the party's tickets.

The party's standing committee on discipline and accountability in Sindh unanimously annulled the basic membership of both the MPAs, the communique added.

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It maintained that both the sacked members were given the opportunity to furnish an explanation of their actions, saying the decision was made on clear and final evidence.

PTI's committee further recommended to the leadership to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the two former members to have them de-seated from the provincial assembly as well.

Conclusively, the statement said that the expelled members can file appeals against the decision with the central leadership within seven days.

The March 3 Senate elections were marred by allegations of horse-trading and other malpractices. The polls were won by Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) candidate Yousuf Raza Gilani against the PTI candidate Hafeez Sheikh for the Islamabad general seat.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had also revealed earlier that 16 treasury members sold themselves for money in the Senate elections.