Eight of 15 legislators skip ECP hearing

ECP not likely to meet October 25 deadline for completing fake degree hearings.

ISLAMABAD: The initial hearing of cases pertaining to public representatives’ fake or invalid degrees is turning into a fiasco with only seven of the 15 accused summoned on Monday appearing before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The ECP had announced that the hearings would be over by October 25, but given the response from legislators, it is unlikely that the commission can complete them within the stipulated timeframe.

Those who did not appear before the commission include Hayatullah Khan Tareen (NA-155), Ghulam Dastagir Rajar (NA-235), Mazhar Hayat (NA-138), Muhammad Safdar Gill (PP-274)  Shamaila Rana (PP-Reserve), Seemal Kamran (PP-Reserve)  Farah Deeba (PP-Reserve) and Majida Zadi (PP-Reserve).

The degrees of these eight legislators have been declared fake by the Higher Education Commission. However, the ECP has decided to give the absentees another chance and asked some of them to appear on October 21 and others on October 25, otherwise their cases will be closed.

During the hearing for Samina Khawar Hayat (PP-Reserve), an advocate filed a fresh power of attorney, saying that her previous counsel was unable to appear due to cases in the Lahore High Court. The committee fixed October 25 as the next date of hearing.

Afshan Farooq (PP-Reserve)’s brother appeared as her representative and asked for adjournment on the grounds that she is in Hyderabad and cannot appear due to domestic engagements. The hearing of her case was also adjourned till October 25.

Muhammad Khan Toor (PB-16), the Balochistan Minister for Population Welfare, appeared in person and provided original documents, from middle school to BA. The committee gave their copy to the HEC for verification and the case was adjourned.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2010.