PTI MPA accuses Maryam’s counsel of taking u-turn over her being PML-N’s vice-president

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Barrister Malika Bukhari accused on Monday Maryam Nawaz's counsel of taking a u-turn before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) when he said that Maryam was not a vice-president of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N).

Speaking to the media outside the ECP, Bukhari said that Nawaz's counsel had taken a u-turn by asking for copies of the petition and documentation submitted by the PTI. She said the PML-N lawyer had stated that Maryam is not vice president of PML-N, Radio Pakistan reported.

Earlier, a three-member bench of ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Muhammad Raza heard the petition filed by PTI against the appointment of Nawaz as party's vice-president.  Nawaz's lawyer Barrister Zafarullah and PML-N lawyer Jahangir Jadoon appeared before the ECP. During the hearing, the counsel sought copies of the petition filed by the PTI.

Zafarullah told the commission that since they did not have the copies of the petition and documentation submitted by the PTI, they cannot submit their reply regarding the disqualification of his client, local media reported. The ECP then issued directives to PTI to issue a copy of the reference filed by them to the PML-N. The hearing has been adjourned till June 25.

On May 9, PTI lawmakers Barrister Malika, Farrukh Habib, Kanwal Shauzab and Javeria Zafar had challenged Maryam’s appointment, saying that her appointment as a PML-N vice-president is in contradiction with the constitution and law of the land.

The petition also stated that the PML-N leader has been declared disqualified for any political or public office. On May 3, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif had approved the appointment of Maryam as one of the party’s vice-presidents. The party head has also appointed his son Hamza Shehbaz as one of the vice presidents of PML-N.