Daily Times

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday filed a reference with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, seeking his disqualification for allegedly concealing a property in United States.

The reference filed by PTI Sindh MPA Khurram Sherzaman stated, “Zardari had failed to declare an apartment he allegedly owns in Belaire Condominiums located at 524 East 72nd Street, New York, in his nomination form for the 2018 general elections.”

Zardari was elected a member of the National Assembly from NA-213, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh in the July 25 general election.

Sherzaman also attached documents of the property in question along with Zardari’s Form B, “which shows that he did not declare this property”.

“Because of this act of his, Asif Ali 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,” said the application.

“This serious violation of the law needs to be examined by you since Mr Zardari is a former president of Pakistan and co-chairs one of the major political parties of this country,” the application read.

The PTI lawmaker urged the ECP to investigate the matter, “and if proven true and accurate”, disqualify and de-seat Zardari as an MNA under Article 62 (1)(f).

Although Provincial Election Commissioner Muhammad Yousaf Khan Khattak reluctantly accepted the application filed by Sherzaman, he informed the PTI MPA that any action on the petition would be taken by the ECP’s Islamabad headquarters.

Speaking to reporters outside the ECP office, Sherzaman said they also wanted the National Accountability Bureau to investigate the means used to allegedly purchase the New York property by Zardari.

Answering a question regarding the evidence submitted by him, the MPA said information regarding the ownership of properties in the United States could “very easily” be obtained online.

“Now it is Asif Ali Zardari sahib’s responsibility to prove us wrong,” he declared.

Also on Thursday, the PPP filed applications in the ECP’s Islamabad office seeking details of assets of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda.

After a PPP delegation met with the ECP secretary, party leader Farhatullah Babar told reporters they had asked the commission to provide details of assets submitted by the premier for all elections he has contested in the past.

“The money trail of Imran Khan’s properties is suspect,” Babar alleged, adding that his party will prove that Khan holds undeclared properties abroad.

The PPP has also submitted applications in institutions concerned to seek details of assets owned by the prime minister’s sister, Aleema Khan, and of business interests of Jahangir Tareen, a senior PTI leader.

“We want everyone in the government and the opposition to be held accountable under the same law,” Babar said, adding that the PPP will face all cases against it through legal channels.

Published in Daily Times, December 21^st 2018.