ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday dismissed the PTI’s petition seeking disqualification of Senator Yousuf Raza Gilani over horse-trading and vote buying, but ordered initiation of criminal proceedings against his son MPA Ali Haider Gilani and PTI MNAs Faheem Khan and retired Captain Jamil Ahmed Khan.

A three-member ECP bench, headed by CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja, observed that it stood proved that the three lawmakers had indulged in corrupt practices. The order said the punishment under Sections 167 (corrupt practices) and 168 (bribery) could be up to three years in jail or a fine of Rs100,000 or both.

The commission said no evidence had been found against former prime minister Gilani. The ECP, however, asked the district election commissioner, Islam­abad, to proceed against Ali Haider Gilani, Faheem Khan and Jamil Ahmad Khan for their involvement in corrupt practices.

Turns down petition for ex-PM’s disqualification, action also sought against two PTI MNAs for corrupt practices

Before the Senate polls in March last year a video had surfaced showing former PM Gilani’s son telling the PTI MNAs how to waste their votes. Ali Gilani later confirmed he had met a lot of people whilst campaigning for his father. He said he had met the PTI lawmakers to secure vote for his father, insisting that it was his right.

A leaked audio clip, purportedly of Sindh minister Nasir Hussain Shah bargaining with four PTI lawmakers for their votes in the Senate elections had also emerged.

PPP’s Yousuf Raza Gilani, in a shocking development, defeated PTI candidate Hafeez Sheikh and later became leader of the opposition in the Senate.

Following the Senate elections on March 3 last year, PTI lawmakers Farrukh Habib, Maleeka Bokhari and Kanwal Shauzab had filed a petition in the ECP, asking it to not issue the notification for Mr Gilani’s victory — a plea dismissed by the ECP.

“Ali [Gilani] kept bribing members of the National Assembly,” the petitioners had claimed. They also alleged that PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz had, in her speeches, made promises of giving lawmakers PML-N tickets in the next general elections if they voted for Yousuf Raza Gilani in the Senate polls.

Ali Gilani admitted to his conversation with the PTI lawmakers, but said he was just responding to their question as to what to do if the votes were made traceable by a barcode. He, however, said he had made no attempt to “buy” votes.

Yousuf Raza Gilani defended his son, saying they were seeking votes from all MNAs as they formed the electoral college for the Senate elections. He said he had also contacted then-prime minister Imran Khan in this connection.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2022