IHC terms PTI MNAs resignations ‘suspicious’

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday termed the resignations of 123 PTI MNAs “suspicious” after it was informed that the parliamentarians were not called in personal capacity before the National Assembly speaker.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition against the acceptance of the resignation of PTI MNA Abdul Shakoor Shad.

The court suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s notification declaring NA-246 Lyari Karachi seat vacant as a PTI MNA informed that he had sent the resignation letter without putting his name or date to the National Assembly speaker only to express solidarity with Imran Khan and for political purposes.

The petitioner pleaded through his lawyer that he did not resign from the NA seat as the resignations were typed by the computer operator of the party’s head office and signed by 123 members. “I sent the resignation letter to the speaker without writing my name or putting the date as the PTI had said that these resignations are to maintain party discipline.”

Shad’s lawyer said that his client signed only to express solidarity with Imran Khan and for political purposes.

The court inquired whether Shad was called by the NA speaker in a personal capacity.

The lawyer replied that a notice came, but it was not served.

The court wondered that how could the NA speaker accept the resignations in such a manner, remarking that adopting such a process for submission has made the PTI resignations suspicious.

The court issued notices to the NA speaker and secretariat, seeking their response.

While suspending the ECP notification, the court also issued a notice to it, seeking a reply within two weeks.

The IHC directed Shad to attend the NA meetings.