PTI files disqualification petition against Zardari in SC

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking disqualification of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for concealing his assets, ARY News reported.

The petition was filed by PTI Senator Usman Dar, who requested to disqualify the former president under Article 62-1(F). It also contains details of assets reportedly concealed by the PPP leader in his election nomination papers. Dar also submited tax receipts of Zardari’s New York apartments to the court.

Earlier, on Jan 10, PTI leader from Sindh, Khurram Sher Zaman had withdrawn his appeal from the Election Commission of Pakistan, stating he had garnered key evidence against Zaradri which will be furnished before the top court.

The PTI lawmaker had moved the petition in the ECP accusing Zardari of concealing his assets. He alleged that the PPP leader owned an apartment in Belaire Condominiums located at 524 East 72nd Street in New York but didn’t disclose it in his nomination papers for the 2018 general elections.

“Zardari under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Rules of the Election Commission of Pakistan, as per past precedent, should be disqualified from holding public office under Article 62 (1)(f), as in my opinion he ceases to be truthful and sagacious.”

Another petition was moved against Zardari in the Peshawar High Court seeking his disqualification.

Advocate Muzamil Khan moved the petition in the high court, claiming that Zardari didn’t take measures despite knowing about the United States (US) forces’ raid in Abottabad in 2011. He pleaded that the PPP leader should be disqualified as member of the National Assembly as per aforementioned reason.

What is Article 62 1(f)?

Qualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament):

(1) A person shall not be qualified to be elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) unless-

(a) He is a citizen of Pakistan;

(b) He is, in the case of the National Assembly, not less than twenty -five years of age and is enroled as a voter in any electoral roll in-

(i) any part of Pakistan, for election to a general seat or a seat reserved for non-Muslims; and

(ii) any area in a Province from which she seeks membership for election to a seat reserved for women.

(c) he is, in the case of Senate, not less than thirty years of age and is enrolled as a voter in any area in a Province or, as the case may be, the Federal Capital, from where he seeks membership;

(d) he is of good character and is not commonly known as one who violates Islamic Injunctions;

(e) he has adequate knowledge of Islamic teachings and practises obligatory duties prescribed by Islam as well as abstains from major sins ;

(f) he is sagacious, righteous and non-profligate, honest and ameen, there being no declaration to the contrary by a court of law;

(g) he has not, after the establishment of Pakistan, worked against the integrity of the country or opposed the ideology of Pakistan