The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday vowed to accomplish the task of Parliamentarians academic credentials' authentication by the end of this month, despite the fact that six of 12 MPs did not turn up for the verification of their degrees.
The ECP had to fix cases of 12 legislators for (October 11) to provide them an opportunity to undo the allegations of fake degrees. The hearing regarding fake/invalid degrees of 12 MNAs and MPAs took place under the Chairmanship of Muhammad Afzal Khan, the nominated officer of ECP in line with the orders of the apex court. Rahim Bux Channa, representative/focal person of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) was also present during the hearing.
Those who appeared in person or through their attorney include; Hayat Ullah Khan Tareen (NA-155), Zulfiqar Ali (PP-271), Sardar Mir Badshah Khan Qaisarani (PP-240), Nasir Ali Shah (NA-259), Shaukat Aziz Bhatti (PP-4), Kishwar Kumar, (KPK-Reserved), Saima Aziz (PP reserved).
Waseem Sajjad, a representative of Hayat Ullah Khan Tareen (NA-155) appeared and pleaded that Hayat Ullah Khan Tareen had already resigned and bye-election in the said Constituency has also been conducted. The Committee observed that as he had submitted alleged fake degree at the time of filling his nomination papers, therefore, he may submit his defence in the case. On the request of the representative, the case has now been fixed for 18th October 2010.
MPA, Zulfiqar Ali (PP-271) appeared in person and pleaded that his case is under trail in the Election Tribunal, Lahore. He pointed out that he did his graduation in 1994 and claimed that the copy available with the Returning Officer is not the copy of degree submitted by him. He also provided a copy of the Degree to the Committee. The Committee asked him to provide copies of matriculation and Intermediate certificate to proceed further in the matter.
Sohail Manzoor Khan, representative of Sardar Mir Badshah Khan Qaisarani (PP-240) appeared and pleaded that Sardar Mir Badshah Khan Qaisarani had already resigned and bye-election in the said Constituency has also been conducted. He further informed the Committee that a single bench has already decided the case. The Committee asked him to provide all the copies of litigation for further proceeding in the matter. Next date of hearing is 18th October 2010.
Noor-ul-Salam, a representative of Nasir Ali Shah (NA-259) who was issued final show cause notice appeared and stated that Nasir Ali Shah is abroad for his treatment and unable to appear before the Committee due to his critical injuries. The next date of hearing will be fixed later.
Shaukat Aziz Bhatti (PP-4) who allegedly filed some one else's degree to qualify for elections, appeared in person and requested for supply of documents. He informed that he did his graduation from Punjab University, Lahore. The Committee decided to ask the Controller of Examination, Punjab University to provide, in person, the relevant record of Shaukat Aziz Bhatti in the next hearing to be held on 25th October 2010.
Kishwar Kumar (KPK-Reserved) appeared in person and pleaded that his case regarding fake degree is already under trial in the Peshawar High Court. The Committee informed him that the copy of the degree submitted by him in the previous hearing was sent to Gomal University for necessary verification and the Assistant Registrar Gomal University has declared the said degree as fake. The Committee also advised him to produce complete documents of the case within two or three days.
Rustam Khan Padhiar Advocate appeared on behalf of Ms Saima Aziz (PP reserved) voluntarily and pleaded that the birth name of Ms Saima Aziz was Ms Saima Mohiuddin d/o Mohiuddin and after getting married her CNIC was revised according to the name of her husband as Ms Saima Aziz. He also provided copies of her degree and the Committee fixed date for next hearing as 18th October 2010.