A 4-member bench of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) here on Tuesday adjourned the hearing in disqualification references against Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan and Secretary General Jehangir Tareen till January 10.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Talal Chaudhry's lawyer Akram Sheikh pleaded that references against both PTI leaders should be clubbed as both are of the same nature. However, the ECP declined the request with an observation that Akram was complicating the case.
The bench further observed that both parties are interested in political point scoring and that a reference and a petition could not be combined. On this, Akram sought more time for submission of additional evidence, which the bench accepted. The defendant of Jehangir Tareen said that the ECP could only give its judgement on issues pointed out in the reference which include only land of Bani Gala, adding the issue of offshore company was being raised for no reason.
Later talking to media outside the ECP building, PTI Spokesperson Naeem-ul-Haq said that the government is adopting delay tactics. "Two weeks ago the ECP said that it would announce its verdict very soon, but now the government is just making the things complicated," he said.
He said the ECP bench warned the ruling party to avoid politicising the references. He further alleged that ruling party has hatched various conspiracies to save his government. "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is taking every step including violation of Constitution and embarrassing his lawyer in legal battle in the Supreme Court in Panamagate, to save his government," he added. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan also postponed hearing in Sumaira Malik disqualification case till today (Wednesday) and summoned presiding officer and returning officer of Khushab.