EC restores membership of 48 more MPs

ISLAMABAD
Three legislators, Member of the National Assembly Mazhar Hayat and two members of Punjab Assembly Seemal Kamran and Farah Deeba were issued final notice to appear before the Special Committee of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for having fake or invalid degrees.
The degree of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)Shafiq Gujjar, declared fake by HEC on the basis of information provided by Al-Khair University, turned out to be genuine as the university controller appeared before the Special Committee and vouched its authenticity.
Federal Food Minister Humayun Aziz Kurd’s lawyer had sought some days for submitting arguments in favor of his client. The committee gave him 2 days. PML-N’s Shamaila Rana, who had resigned from the assembly, appeared before the commission and informed it that the result card in the records did not belong to her and presented her original degree to the committee.
Molvi Agha Muhammad appeared in person while Minister for Housing Rehmat ullah Kakar appeared as his counsel. Kakar said the Madrassa that had awarded the degree to Molve Agha was accredited by Wafaq ul Madaris. He was given a few days to bring a statement from Wafaq-ul-Madaris and the original degree.
Shaukat Ullah appeared on behalf of Gulistan Khan from Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and informed the Commission that his client had already been penalized by the Election Tribunal and the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the shape of his disqualification.
Counsel of MNA Syed Salman Mohsin was asked to present relevant documents in the next hearing. Waseem Afzal Gondal, Member of Punjab Assembly appeared in person and sought adjournment to file his reply. His case was adjourned.
A representative of MNA Syed Javed Hussain, informed the commission that an appeal regarding his degree was pending with the Lahore High Court. He was asked to provide details in next two days.
Chief Election Commissioner Hamid Ali Mirza on Thursday restored the membership of 48 more lawmakers after they submitted their assets and liabilities to the commission.
Thirteen of these parliamentarians belong to National Assembly, and thirty-five are members of four provincial assemblies. Membership of 89 out of the original 148 suspended has already been restored.