Lawmakers seek time to plead cases

22 lawmakers implicated in scandal over falsification of educational records plead for more time.

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers implicated in a scandal over falsification of educational records have sought more time to present their cases.

Most of the 22 lawmakers, who appeared before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in person or via their representatives on Monday, pleaded for more time.

The ECP was scheduled to complete the initial hearings of cases of all lawmakers whose degrees were declared invalid by the Higher Education Commission last month. But it seems that the process will continue for another few months.

From the National Assembly Jawad Hussain (NA-39) remained absent and the committee will ask NADRA to check whether his name had been changed. Syed Muhammad Salman Mohsin (NA-165) did not appear in person. His representative Zulfiqar sought adjournment. The case of Mazhar Hayat (NA-138) was also adjourned.

Barrister Gohar Ali appeared on behalf of Syed Akhunzada Chittan (NA-44) and requested for adjournment through a letter.

Senator Mir Mohabbat Khan Marri appeared in person to plead his case. The committee advised him to submit a written defence and decided to issue a notice to the controller of examinations for submission of complete records. Senator Rehana Yahya Baloch also sent a letter to seek adjournment.

Cases of most lawmakers from provincial assemblies were adjourned until later this month.  However, the cases of Hayatullah Khan Tareen (NA-155), Sardar Mir Badshah Khan Qaisrani (PP-240), Haji Ali Madad Jaddak (PB-5) and Mukhesh Kumar (PS-Reserved) have been closed and will be sent by the committee to the chief election commissioner.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2010.