PTI files disqualification petition against Zardari for ‘concealing’ NY flat in nomination papers
Islamabad, Dec 20: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday filed an application with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Karachi, seeking the disqualification of PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari for concealing his assets.
According to the application filed by PTI Sindh MPA Khurram Sherzaman with the Provincial Election Commissioner, Zardari had failed to declare an apartment he allegedly owns in Belaire Condominiums located at 524 East 72nd Street, New York, New York, United States of America in his nomination form for the 2018 general elections.
The PPP leader is a member of the National Assembly from NA-213, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh.
“Because of this act of his, Mr Asif Ali Zardari under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Rules of the Election Commission of Pakistan, he 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,” says the application.
Sherzaman in his letter said he was attaching documents of the property in question along with Zardari’s Form B, “which shows that he did not declare this property”.
“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.
Although Provincial Election Commissioner Muhammad Yousaf Khan Khattak reluctantly accepted the application filed by Sherzaman, he informed the PTI lawmaker that any action on the petition would be taken by the ECP’s Islamabad headquarters.
