Likeminded group to move ECP for Nawaz’s disqualification

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif is set to face a tough legal challenge as some members of the PML-Likeminded Group have planned moving the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to seek the former PM’s disqualification, citing the Articles 62 and 63, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.

A source in the group said on condition of anonymity that Hamid Nasir Chattha, the chairman of the likeminded group, had directed his legal aides to prepare a petition which would soon be filed against Nawaz for allegedly violating a written agreement duly signed by the leaders of both sides.

“Nawaz had agreed in principle to allocate 11 percent seats to the likeminded group in year 2012 under a seat adjustment formula,” the source said.

Under the agreement, the likeminded group members had to be accommodated for 30 National Assembly seats, but they were only given one seat – to Salim Saifullah Khan from Lakki Marwat and that too a PML-N ticket – another violation of the agreement.

Agreement:

Per the agreement between the two sides, the criteria decided in the agreement between two parties (PML-N and PML-LM says, “Based on the criteria laid down, thirty (11 percent) out of 272 general seats shall be adjusted between PML-N) and PML-LM. The same percentage shall apply for allocation of provincial general seats”.

The memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for seats adjustment between two parties was signed on May 12, 2012 by Humayon Akhtar Khan (from PML-LM) and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra (PML-N secretary general).

Newly-formed PML-J chief Iqbal Dar said they were all set to submit petition in the Election Commission before April 17, attaching signed agreement of the PML-LM and PML-N on seat adjustment formula of 11 percent.

“Saifullah has also refused to contest on PML-N ticket so the party has decided to move ECP after being dumped by Sharifs,” Dar added.

The agreement was also signed and at a press conference held at Raiwind, both parties had announced the same, the likeminded leader added.

However, he said Nawaz had now refused to implement the agreement.

“So he has proved himself a liar. So he is no more sadiq (truthful) or ameen and is liable to fall victim to article 63,” the source said.

The source added that the likeminded group leaders had decided to submit the petition in Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) so that Nawaz could be declared a liar and ineligible to contest the upcoming polls.

The source said the former MNA and secretary information of likeminded group, Kashmala Tariq, was active in this regard and had been promised a reserved seat for women but was also dumped later on.

After being betrayed and dumped by the PML-N, the likeminded group stands divided. Humayon Akhtar Khan, the secretary general of the group, is still hopeful, while Chattha has revived the PML-Junejo and Aarbab Ghulam Rahim, the group president, has formed Peoples’ Muslim League.

Former PML-LM leader Arbab Ghulam Rahim met PML-N leader Nawaz around two weeks ago to sort out seat adjustment formula, but only some of the party members could get seats.

The party reportedly demanded the 11 percent seat adjustment deal with the PML-N that could not materialise and compelled the party members to revive the PML-Junejo as a new political strength.

One of the members of former PML-LM who secured to get seat from the PML-N, Salim Saif Ullah, also shared with this newspaper that PML-N had not fulfilled its promise and gave only a few seats to LM group.