ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) filed a petition with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday, seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his four relatives from the National Assembly for not fulfilling requirements under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

The PPP contingent, comprising Sardar Latif Khosa and Faisal Kareem Kundi, also named Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Captain Safdar and Hamza Shahbaz in the reference.

"PM Nawaz is not ‘sadiq’ and ‘amin’ anymore and therefore is not eligible to hold a seat in the NA," the petition said.

The reference claims Nawaz and Shahbaz have hidden assets of various family members and that Dar also kept secret his son's assets.

It alleges that PM's daughter, Mariam Nawaz's assets are concealed by her husband Captain Safdar.

The PPP had on Saturday finalised the draft of the reference it filed with the ECP today.

“PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has approved the draft of the reference to be filed in the ECP to seek disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as well as retired Capt Muhammad Safdar and Hamza Shahbaz, members of the National Assembly,” PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar had told Dawn on Saturday.

Asked whether the PPP had made up its mind to file the reference following in the footsteps of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), he said: “Mr Bhutto-Zardari had approved the draft in the June 24 meeting of the party’s senior leadership whereas the PTI filed the reference after that.”

Over a month ago, on the directive of Mr Bhutto-Zardari, the PPP’s legal team prepared the draft of the reference but did not get a final nod of the chairman to file it. A source said the draft was also sent to former president Asif Ali Zardari who finally gave a go-ahead.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...