ISLAMABAD: The ECP on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a reference seeking the disqualification of PML-N lawmaker Adil Bazai.

A three-member bench of the commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the case.

Bazai’s counsel maintained that he had never joined the PML-N and asserted that a fake affidavit had been submitted in his name with the ECP and asked for a forensic audit of the affidavit.

He pointed out that details of the notary public were not even recorded on the stamp paper for the affidavit. He also said that Oath Commissioner Saeed Ahmed’s statement was on record that Adil Bazai never appeared before him.

He said Mr Bazai was an independent member according to the National Asse­mbly’s website until September 27, 2024.

The lawyer also pointed out that it is mentioned in the PML-N reference that Mr Bazai never sat on government benches. To this, the Chief Election Commissioner said that if Mr Bazai had submitted an affidavit to join the Sunni Ittehad Council, why did he not contact the Election Commission.

The ECP member of Sindh also inquired why he had remained silent for so long.

The counsel responded that his client remained silent because this affidavit had never come to light.

He contended that the NA Speaker did not conduct any investigation into the reference and that he did not even see that the first reference was sent by the parliamentary leader instead of the party president.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024