Absence of PTI leaders irks CEC

The chief election commissioner has expressed his anger over the non-appearance of petitioners Farrukh Habib, Malika Bukhari, Kanwal Shozaib and Alia Hamza during the hearing of the Senate election video scandal case at the Election Commission of Pakistan office.

The CEC in his remarks during the hearing said that on what basis is the ECP blamed? The case has been adjourned 17 times of which 10 times was due to the PTI.

A three-member bench of the ECP heard the case.

Former prime minister Senator Yousuf Raza Gilani's lawyer argued that the case was being suspended only for media trial.

“Hafeez Sheikh had contested the election against Gilani. He did not challenge the election or make any statement to the media. All the petitioners have come as individuals. The PTI has not filed a petition as a party.”

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He said that there was no direct allegation against Gilani in the whole case.

Ahead of the Senate elections, a video showing Gilani’s son emerged on social media in which he could be seen and heard bribing some senators.

“Without forensics, (former judge) Arshad Malik's video was not taken up by the Supreme Court,” the lawyer said.

Malik had sentenced former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case. He was dismissed from service by the Lahore High Court in 2020 over a videogate following the Sharif's sentence in his court. In July 2019, Maryam Nawaz released a video of Malik in news conference, claiming that her father's conviction was compromised as the judge was blackmailed which was being confessed in video allegedly. Her claim led to an inquiry against Malik and he was suspended and later removed from service by LHC. He challenged the dismissal and his hearing was due in LHC. He died due to Covid-19 on December 4, 2020.

ECP Sindh member Nisar Durrani inquired whether the sting operation could be accepted as evidence.

Gilani's lawyer replied that the sting operation had no legal status.

“It is a crime to make a video of anyone without permission. Judge Arshad Malik's video makers have also been arrested or are out of the country.”

ECP Balochistan member Shah Mohammad Jatoi inquired whether Ali Haider Gilani took action against making the video.

The lawyer replied that it was a matter of political nature and maybe Haider had contacted him.

Gilani's lawyer added that if there was any objection to the election, the tribunal could be approached.

“The PTI has not approached the Election Tribunal, and the ECP is not authorised to decide after 60 days.”

The Sindh member said that the time limit for disposal of the case is also in NAB law “but decisions are taken after that”.

The ECP adjourned the case till April 5 for the PTI's reply.