KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday filed in the Elec­tion Commission of Pakistan an application seeking disqualification of former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for concealing his assets.

PTI members of the Sindh Assembly led by Khurram Sherzaman visited the provincial headquarters of the commission and filed the application accusing Mr Zardari of owning an apartment in Belaire Condomi­niums located at 524 East 72nd Street, New York, but not declaring it in his nomination papers for the 2018 general elections. Mr Zardari was elected member of the National Assembly in the elections.

“Because of this act of his, Mr Zardari under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Rules of the Election Commission of Pakistan, as per past precedent, should be disqualified from holding public office under Article 62 (1)(f), as in my opinion he ceases to be truthful and sagacious,” Mr Sherzaman read out his application before the media after filing the complaint.

He showed the copy of his letter carrying “documentary evidence” and said that one of the documents “proved” that Mr Zardari owned the New York property. Another piece of evidence, he added, showed that one Mehreen Shah was granted the power of attorney for the condo unit by Mr Zardari.

“We have requested the Election Commission that this serious violation of the law needs to be examined as Mr Zardari is a former president of Pakistan and co-chairs one of the major political parties of this country,” Mr Sherzaman said. “We have also requested the Election Commission to investigate the matter and if proven, disqualify and de-seat Mr Zardari as an MNA under Article 62 (1)(f).”

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2018