PML-N accused of taking U-turn over Maryam's appointment as party's vice president

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) put off on Monday a reference challenging Maryam Nawaz’s appointment as vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) until June 25. 

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza, issued directives for provision of a copy of the reference filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to the PML-N leader’s lawyer.

Advocate Jahangir Jadoon and Zafarullah, who represented the PML-N and Maryam respectively, appeared before the bench.

Jadoon stated before the commission that they haven’t received a copy of the reference yet. He requested it to provide the same so they may submit their response.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, MNA Maleeka Bukhari, one of the petitioners, claimed the PML-N lawyer took a U-turn during today’s hearing by asking for a copy of a notification regarding Maryam’s appointment as vice president of the party. As per the counsel, Maryam is not the party’s vice president.

Farrukh Habib, another petitioner, said the PML-N’s counsel refused to accept Maryam’s appointment.

The PML-N leader had previously lied about Qatari letter and now did an about turn over her appointment as the party’s vice president, he added.

The reference was filed by MNAs Farrukh Habib, Maleeka Ali Bokhari, Kanwal Shauzab and Javeria Zafar.

At the previous hearing, PTI counsel had informed the bench that Maryam Nawaz was appointed as the party’s vice president on May 03, 2019.

The CEC asked is it an appointment or election on the party office?

“No intra-party elections were held for this PML-N office,” the counsel responded.

The counsel said that Maryam Nawaz was convicted by an accountability court and has been declared disqualified for holding any political or public office and her appointment as PML-N vice president is in conflict with the law and the constitution.

The petitioner said that the High Court had suspended Maryam Nawaz’s sentence on September 19.