–SHC rebukes ECP for submitting ‘one-page reply’
–Siyal tells court there was no column for Iqama in declaration form
KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) told the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday that it is ready to investigate Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders Faryal Talpur and Sohail Anwar Siyal.
ECP submitted its statement as the SHC heard petitions pertaining to disqualification of Talpur, Siyal, Manzoor Wassan and others for holding Iqamas (work permits) of certain countries and not disclosing them while filing nomination papers.
A two-judge bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar was hearing the petitions when ECP’s counsel Shamsul Islam informed the court: “We have filed our response and are ready to hold an inquiry against Talpur and Siyal.”
However, the bench disapproved of the defence counsel’s reply: “We have seen your reply and it says nothing. What is in a one-page reply, we know what work you are doing.”
“We sought a detailed response and instead you submitted a one-page reply to simply fulfil your responsibility.”
“Are such replies submitted in court?” Justice Ali remarked.
ECP’s counsel further added that Talpur’s lawyer Farooq H Naik had failed to present himself in court again, and his junior should take the case forward.
“How can the case move forward when the lawyer is not present? Ask Farooq Naik to appear for the next hearing or we will separate his case.”
Advocate Shamsul Islam further said, “Talpur did not mention her Iqama or assets in Dubai in her reply. Till a verdict is announced, she should be disqualified from holding public office.”
The petition stated that Talpur had registered a company in her daughter Aisha’s name in 2002, and failed to disclose it in her nomination papers. Hence, she should be disqualified from holding public office.
Meanwhile, Sindh Assembly member Siyal also submitted a reply in the court today and said the petitioner is not a respondent and thus as per the Constitution he can only move the election tribunal.
“The allegations levelled by the petitioner are false and baseless,” he stressed.
Siyal added that he has submitted all of his documents with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
“There was no column to state whether I hold an Iqama in the declaration form.”
The petitioner had said that Talpur, Siyal and others were not Sadiq or Ameen as they had violated Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution by not disclosing details in nomination papers.
The hearing was adjourned till October 25.
