Supreme Court rejects Imran's plea to de-seat Ayesha Gulalai

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan through which he challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict that rejected his reference to de-seat estranged party MNA Ayesha Gulalai.

Gulalai’s lawyer said the apex court upheld the decision of the electoral body, which had turned down the PTI chief’s request to disqualify his client.

On October 24, headed by Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza a five-member bench dismissed the reference seeking disqualification of the woman lawmaker.

The bench gave a 3-2 split verdict, rejecting the reference with two members dissenting from the majority opinion.

PTI chief Imran Khan had approached the Commission seeking her disqualification for violating 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 Ayesha Gulalai, a copy of which was also sent to the ECP and Speaker National Assembly.