ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to elect its new President after Nawaz Sharif remained no longer eligible to hold the said post following his disqualification.
In its notice issued on Tuesday, the ECP said that a disqualified person cannot hold any party position under the Political Parties Order 2002.
Therefore, the ECP added, that the ruling PML-N should elect its new president, replacing the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The notification followed the July 28’s verdict announced by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Panama Papers Case, in which the Apex Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister under article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution and also directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file multiple references against Sharif family members including the ousted prime minister.
As per legal experts, Nawaz Sharif was not only disqualified as the prime minister and lawmaker following the Panama verdict but he also could no longer remain the PML-N President.
However despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, Nawaz Sharif kept on presiding the PML-N meeting in Murree and Punjab House, Islamabad.
The former prime minister was also the sole authority in PML-N which nominated Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the new prime minister of Pakistan.
Considering the political decisions taken by Nawaz Sharif being the head of PML-N, the Opposition parties especially Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) recorded its strong objections over Nawaz Sharif ruling the PML-N meetings.
Nawaz Sharif is also poised to begin his journey to Lahore via GT Road on August 9 (Wednesday) while leading a PML-N rally.
The ousted prime minister after reaching Lahore will also make the final decision about the nominee of PML-N who will contest the upcoming by-elections in NA-120.
