Elahi files disqualification reference against dissident PTI MPAs

Reference accuses 26 lawmakers of violating Article 63-A

Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi on Wednesday moved a reference against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) dissident MPAs to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking their disqualification for allegedly violating the party’s policy during the election of Punjab chief minister.
The reference was moved against 26 lawmakers, who voted for opposition’s candidate Hamza Shehbaz in sheer violation of the party’s policy.

The reference was filed against MPAs hailing from Aleem Khan, Jahangir Khan Tareen and Asad Khokhar groups.

The deviant members named in the reference include Abdul Aleem Khan, Raja Sageer Ahmad, Ghulam Rasool, Saeed Akbar Niwani, Ajmal Cheema, Faisal Hayat Japwana, Mehar Aslam Bharwana, Khalid Mehmood, Nazeer Chohan, Nauman Langrial, Ameen Zulqarnain, Muhammad Salman, Zawar Hussian, Nazeer Ahmed, Fida Hussain, Zahra Batool, Ayesha Nawaz, Sajida Yusuf, Haroon Imran Gill, Malik Asad Khokhar, Ijaz Masih, Muhammad Tahir, Uzma Kardar, Sibtain Raza, Javeed Akhtar and Mohsin Atta Khan Khosa.

The reference was filed in the light of a letter written to the speaker by PTI Chairman Imran Khan in which he demanded their disqualification under Article 63 A.

“The member(s) in violation of the Article 63 (A) (1) (b) (i) of the constitution participated in the chief minister Punjab election held on 16-4-2022 against the party decision. In this session, they violated the party discipline and cast their votes in favor of Hamza Shehbaz Sharif, the candidate nominated by PML-N. On account of their votes, the candidate of PTI and PML-Q, Parvez Elahi, lost the election. The member(s) have violated the provisions of Article 63 A (1) (b) (i) of the constitution,” said the letter a copy of which is available with MinuteMirror.

It further added that the change of loyalty has caused an irreparable loss to the democratic system and political values and blatantly injured the cause and objectives of the PTI, the letter said.

Among them are six MPAs, who were elected as independent candidates in 2018 elections, and it is yet to be seen whether the defection clause is applicable to them or not because they were not elected on the election symbol of the PTI.

Talking to MinuteMirror, former minister for law and parliamentary affairs and senior PTI leader Raja Basharat said the PTI will pursue these references ardently. “The dissident MPAs have lost respect in the public,” Basharat said, adding: We’ll pursue the reference for its speedy conclusion.”