Gulalai submits response in disqualification reference

ISLAMABAD: Estranged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Ayesha Gulalai on Tuesday submitted her reply to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in response to a reference seeking her disqualification from the membership of the National Assembly.

Gulalai appeared before the bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza, along with her counsel and filed a written reply to the disqualification reference.

The hearing was adjourned till Sept 26 when the bench would hear arguments of the both parties on the reference.

Speaking to media after her appearance, Gulalai slammed PTI chief Imran Khan, saying his attitude towards party women was inappropriate and questionable. When she raised her voice in this regard, he got registered fake cases against her, she added.

She questioned how he will root out corruption when he himself was surrounded by corrupt people.

She alleged the money earned through corruption and land-grabbing was used in the campaign for NA-120. She said she felt deeply sorry for Dr Yasmeen Rashid who lost NA-120 by-election to PML-N’s Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.

Gulalai reiterated that she had not violated discipline of the party.

Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq had sent the reference to the ECP to decide it within 30 days in accordance with the law.

PTI chief Imran Khan had requested the speaker to disqualify her for violating the party discipline by not participating in voting for PTI’s nominated candidate Sheikh Rasheed in the election for the prime minister’s office.

Gulalai shot to prominence after she announced to left the party in spectacular fashion and accused the PTI chief of misogyny and sending her inappropriate text messages. She also alleged that women were not respected in the PTI and she had quit over differences with the party leadership. All charges have been dismissed by the party.

Gulalai was sent a show cause notice after the press conference to explain her actions but she failed to respond. The party sent a final notice to Gulalai, a copy of which was also sent to the ECP and Speaker National Assembly.