In response to the petition seeking the disqualification of senator-elect Yousaf Raza Gillani from the governing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked that the ruling party also nominate its own members.
The petition of the ruling party, based on the leaked video of Yousaf Raza Gillani's son Ali Haider Gillani, was heard by a four-member commission led by retired Justice Altaf Ibrahim Qureshi. The PTI's point of view was represented by Barrister Ali Zafar, who argued: "In the video from March 2, the candidate's son, Ali Haider Gillani, can be allegedly seen offering bribes to buy votes."
Justice Qureshi asked: "Didn't you think it necessary to make those who can be seen in the video parties to the case as well?" He was referring to the PTI lawmakers who were speaking to Ali Haider Gillani in the leaked video.
When the PTI's legal representative argued that they ought not to be involved in the case, Justice Qureshi stated: "The one who offered the bribe and the ones who received them, both are involved in this matter. We can't make only the one who offered the bribe a party to the case." He later noted: "Prepare the petition in the correct manner, gather the evidence. Why will we not take action on it?”
The ECP asked the ruling party to bring forward solid evidence before its claims of bribery by Ali Haider Gillani in the Senate elections can be seriously considered.
The petition of the ruling party, based on the leaked video of Yousaf Raza Gillani's son Ali Haider Gillani, was heard by a four-member commission led by retired Justice Altaf Ibrahim Qureshi. The PTI's point of view was represented by Barrister Ali Zafar, who argued: "In the video from March 2, the candidate's son, Ali Haider Gillani, can be allegedly seen offering bribes to buy votes."
Justice Qureshi asked: "Didn't you think it necessary to make those who can be seen in the video parties to the case as well?" He was referring to the PTI lawmakers who were speaking to Ali Haider Gillani in the leaked video.
When the PTI's legal representative argued that they ought not to be involved in the case, Justice Qureshi stated: "The one who offered the bribe and the ones who received them, both are involved in this matter. We can't make only the one who offered the bribe a party to the case." He later noted: "Prepare the petition in the correct manner, gather the evidence. Why will we not take action on it?”
The ECP asked the ruling party to bring forward solid evidence before its claims of bribery by Ali Haider Gillani in the Senate elections can be seriously considered.