ISLAMABAD: The Elec­tion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday dismi­ssed the disqualification references filed against Pakis­tan Tehreek-i-Insaf Senator Saifullah Abro.

Announcing the verdict, a three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commi­ssioner Sikandar Sultan Raja rejected the disqualification pleas filed by PPP Senator Shahadat Awan and one Majid Mahmood, terming these devoid of merits and force and without evidence.

The elec­tion commission bench had reserved its judgement on the two references on Jan 7 after having heard arguments from the two sides.

An objection to Senator Abro’s eligibility had been overruled by the returning officer prior to his election for a six-year term in March 2021.

The order was challenged before the appellate tribunal, which declared him ineligible to contest the Senate election. Later, the order was challenged before the Sindh High Court that set aside the appellate tribunal’s decision.

The SHC’s decision was challenged before the Supreme Court (SC), which allowed Mr Abro to contest the poll, but ruled that the matter of his qualification could be agitated any time after election before an appropriate forum.

The ECP in its order pointed out that the SC order was passed in March 2021 and the references for disqualification of the respondent were moved before the Senate chairman by the applicants in October 2024 after a lapse of almost three years and seven months.

It also noted that the applicants also did not file an election petition before the election tribunal or a civil suit for declaration before a competent court of law.

“The respondent (Saif­ullah Abro) has also submitted list of projects and details of the years worked as civil engineer including services at government organisation etc. Therefore…the question referred by the Chairman Senate through the references is decided in negative being devoid of merits and force without evidence,” the ECP bench ruled in the verdict.

The references seeking disqualification of Senator Abro were forwarded to the ECP by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, in which it was stated that he did not meet the requirements for the technocrat seat.

The references stated that the information provided in the affidavit regarding dependents, agricultural income and assets is misleading, and the wealth statement submitted with the nomination papers concealed the agricultural land owned by his children.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025