SC returns PTI petition seeking Zardari's disqualification
- By Web Desk -
- Jan 23, 2019
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday returned a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, seeking disqualification of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for concealing his assets, ARY News reported.
Raising objections on the petition, the SC registrar complained that the petitioners did not approach the relevant forum to address their greviences. “Despite presence of the forum the petitioners approached the top court.”
On Jan 21, PTI leaders Usman Dar and Khurram Sher Zaman filed the petition requesting the apex court to de-seat the former president under Article 62-1(F). The petition contained details of assets reportedly concealed by the PPP leader in his election nomination papers. They also submitted 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Earlier, on Jan 10, PTI leader from Sindh, Khurram Sher Zaman had withdrawn his appeal from the Election Commission of Pakistan, stating he had garnered key evidence against Zaradri which will be furnished before the top court.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.