PTI sends notice to Ayesha Gulalai removing her from the party
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf sent a notice of defection to Ayesha Gulalai, officially removing her from the party. Copies of the notice have also been sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.
In the notice, issued on Monday, the party cited Gulalai's public resignation in her August 1 press conference and her abstinence of voting in the elections for the prime minister in spite of instructions from her party as the reasons for her exclusion from PTI.
According to the notice, PTI chairman Imran Khan sent her a show-cause notice under Section 63A(1)(a) of the Constitution, asking her to justify her actions, otherwise "it shall be presumed that you (Gulalai) do not contest the show-cause notice, otherwise have no defence and acquiesce to the issuance of a notice of defection against you."
The notice then mentions that Imran Khan, as party chairman, declared Gulalai defected from the party under Section 63A(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Copies of the notice have also been sent to the Chairman of the National Assembly and the Election Commission of Pakistan as required by the 63A(1)(b)(i) of the Constitution, to alert the two offices about the notice of defection and for "further action in accordance to the Constitution".
On August 1, Ayesha Gulalai had announced her exit from the party amid a flurry of scathing allegations against Imran Khan and other top party members.
Gulalai made the announcement moments before the election of a new prime minister, citing "ill-treatment" of women in the party as the reason behind her decision. She claimed that she had communicated her grievances to the party leadership but no action had been taken.
Prior to her resignation Gulalai, who is a former PPP member, had been a staunch and vocal supporter of the PTI and Imran Khan, often featuring in prime time talkshows to defend party policies.
Following her resignation, the PTI sent a legal notice to Gulalai, presenting her with two options ─ to either tender an "unconditional apology" to Khan and the PTI for her "baseless and indecent allegations" in a press conference, or to pay "Rs30m as compensation on account of damage to repute, causing mental torture, agony and endangering the party's future and policies".
The "legal notice" was followed by show-cause notice issued by the PTI, who suspended her party membership over alleged violation of party rules and discipline.
The notice, issued by PTI General Secretary Jahangir Tareen, had demanded that Gulalai respond within seven days to alleged misconduct and breach of party discipline.
On August 4, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had called for the formation of a special committee to investigate the allegations of harassment levelled against Khan by Gulalai.
The PTI, however, categorically rejected an ethics committee approved by Sadiq to look into allegations of harassment, fearing that it could be used to victimise political opponents in the future.
Shireen Mazari, PTI's chief whip in the NA, had submitted a letter to the speaker, saying that the party rejected the formation of a committee that would comprise parliamentarians — a majority of whom belong to the government benches — as a body involving its political opponents has "no credibility".
"Political opponents cannot be accusers, judge and jury," the letter read.
Comments (26) Closed
If Gulalai had already announced that she is leaving the party then what is the point of Imran Khan's notice?
What about investigating Gulalai's accusations against Imran's indecent text messages? Why won't the PTI accept the formation of a parliamentary committee to look into the matter?
@Asfar I guess the notification is needed as after that, she will then need to leave her PTI allotted MNA seat as well.
PTI should first answer her harassment allegations on top PTI leadership instead of sending her notices or terminating her party membership. she has already left the party herself.
"In the notice, issued on Monday, the party cited Gulalai's public resignation in her August 1 press conference and her abstinence of voting in the elections for the prime minister in spite of instructions from her party as the reasons for her exclusion from PTI"
Imran Khan was also absent from the parliament in the prime minister election. when are they sending him similar notice?
@Asfar She is not leaving the NA reserved seat, by submitting the legal paperwork of her expulsion from PTI in NA, she will also be expelled from NA seat.
This will also effect the investigation that was going to happen among the NA members regarding her accusation, as Gulalai will no longer be a NA member making the case mute. Interesting tactic by PTI.
Who will send notice to IK to clear his position on this issue
Good for her
These seem to be diversion tactics by the PTI leadership to shift the focus away from her allegations. Imran Khan should clear his name by making suggestions for a neutral investigative committee and be willing to provide his text message record in confidentiality to the committee.
She already left the PTI. IK's notice is a just formality.
This is unbecoming of IK who is like her father, and aspires to be the head of the country. Her allegations need to be investigated by a special committee. People have a right to know what their leader truely is.
@asif
If she has any legitimate evidence for these allegations then she should take it to court. Why should PTI accept a committee chaired by political opponents who want to take him down in any way possible?
Will she get justice?
She has already left the party. So where is the need for the notice.
@Asfar -she needs to vacate the reserved seat. Also, she is yet to prove all the allegations in court.
@Asfar my friend! This is required to fulfill a legal requirement.
@Curious There should definitely be investigation regarding Gulalai allegations but investigation by a committee dominated with members of parties opposed to PTI obviously cannot be justified.
@Asfar She announced but never left the seat in National Assembly which makes her still part of the part. She never done in writing.
@Curious PTI is not against the formation of a committee to look into her allegations. PTI is against that committee comprising members of the PMLN and PPP.
Very Good step taken by PTI. Should have been done long go.
@timetostopthis , then why is she still sitting on the party seat and using the forum to raise her personal stories.
Right move by PTI after giving her considerable time to come with evidence but she has been completely failled even in logical questions asked to her in several talk shows.
@Faiza The burden of proof is with Gulalai - she needs to show the messages to prove she received them.
@Hassan (Karachi): Gulalai Is nobody's fool to fall into the technical trap of PTI.
It was an ill conceived drama that ended in a disaster. Her timing was so off line that no body took her seriously. There is nothing left for her than to rue her decision.
@Shaheen S. committee of the expert and impartial not N-League