ECP disposes of references against Imran and Tareen

• CEC announced the verdict and disposed of the references;
• Truth emerged victorious after this decision: Naeemul Haq
• Ayaz Sadiq has no basis to stay as NA Speaker, says Imran;
• ECP's verdict against Imran, Tareen not on merit: PML-N

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday dismissed references against Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sardar Raza Khan announced the verdict and disposed of the references against PTI leaders.

Earlier, reference raising issues of Imran Khan's off-shore companies, his flats outside Pakistan, income and Bani Gala land was submitted by eight PML-N lawmakers including Daniyal Aziz, Talal Chaudhry and others to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. 

The speaker forwarded the references to ECP for hearing. PML-N leaders claimed that PTI Chief cannot remain assembly's member under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution and he should be disqualified.

PTI chief Imran Khan had denied all the allegations and submitted a reply, stating that Bani Gala house was purchased after taking loan from Jemima.

In a reply, it was also mentioned that Jemima's loan was paid off by selling London flat.  

Later, talking to media outside (ECP), Spokesperson PTI Naeem ul Haque said that truth has emerged victorious after this decision. The spokesperson said that we are lodging protest against Speaker National Assembly (NA) Ayaz Sadiq and demanded that he should resign now.

Naeem ul Haque also announced to file a petition in ECP against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif over self-promotion in government advertisement. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman believes that Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had no justification to stay at his position in National Assembly, adding that it was the political right and duty of the NA opposition to hold Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accountable.

Speaking to media here, Khan underlined that it was Opposition's utmost responsibility to highlight government's irregularities and bad practices.

Imran Khan complained that references were sent against him and his party members to ECP for raising their voices. He blamed Ayaz Sadiq for siding with the Sharif family while trying to blackmail him.

He stated that he had attached the money trail in his reply for the reference. "The flat was purchased seven years before launching charity campaign for Shaukat Khanum Hospital", he added.

Imran Khan demanded Ayaz Sadiq's resignation from the post of National Assembly Speaker. He said, "All departments are investigating us instead of Panama Leaks."

He reiterated that a person whose assets were kept abroad should not be allowed to become prime minister of the country. Khan was of the view that current government was running its affairs in a dictatorial manner.

"Institutions are blackmailing us and serving the Sharif family. Nawaz Sharif should have been ousted when he gave Rs 200 billion contract to Qatari business partner", Imran Khan said. The cricketer-turned politician believes that no politician should be allowed to lead Pakistan if their assets were outside the country.

Regarding the disqualification against him in the election commission, Khan said he had submitted his reply before the ECP in the first week of December.

The NA speaker last year had forwarded a reference to the ECP seeking disqualification of Khan from the legislature.

The reference against Imran Khan's off-shore companies, his flats outside Pakistan, income and Bani Gala land was submitted by PML-N lawmakers including Daniyal Aziz, Talal Chaudhry and others to the ECP.

Earlier, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) dismissed references against PTI and Jahangir Tareen. 

Moments after Election Commission of Pakistan's verdict dismissing disqualification reference against Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen was out, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Naeem-ul-Haq came up with a demand seeking resignation of the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

The NA speaker last year had forwarded a reference to the ECP seeking disqualification of Khan from the legislature.

The reference against Imran Khan's off-shore companies, his flats outside Pakistan, income and Bani Gala land was submitted by PML-N lawmakers including Daniyal Aziz, Talal Chaudhry and others to the ECP.

They claimed that the PTI chief was no more eligible to remain assembly's member under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, hence his disqualification was 'imminent'.

PTI chief Imran Khan had rejected all the allegations. PTI's spokesperson, Naeemul Haq, told media today that his party would now seek resignation from the NA speaker.

In addition, he said his party was now filing against Sharif brothers for their 'self-glorifying' advertisements, thus toning down the actual purpose of the ad, said Naeemul Haq while speaking to media here.

He expressed hope that soon the Panamagate case verdict would be out, and "it will be based on the truth".

He insisted that the PTI wanted next general elections to be 'free, fair and transparent'. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders on Thursday alleged Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of not taking decision in references against Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and Jahangir Khan as per merit.

Talking to media outside ECP, PML-N's Daniyal Aziz said PTI has transformed into 'movement of allegations'. He said that Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen hiding under legal technicalities.

"We have right to move to SC, IHC over ECP's decision", added Daniyal Aziz.

Meanwhile, Talal Chaudhry said that Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen hided under immunity. He further said that Nawaz Sharif has given accountability of three generations. - NNI