Captain Safdar questions ECP's jurisdiction for disqualification

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Instead of submitting a reply to the Election Commission of Pakistan pertaining to the disqualification case filed against him, Captain (retd.) Safdar has questioned  legal jurisdiction of the election authority for proceeding disqualification case.

ECP on Tuesday resumed hearing of a case filed by PTI member Nawabzada Salahuddin seeking disqualification of Safdar as he, in his annual wealth declaration papers, concealed assets registered in the name of his spouse Maryam.

On the occasion, Captain Safdar had to submit reply but his counsel instead questioned the legal authority of ECP's jurisdiction.

“However, while reserving the right to submit a detailed reply on facts, the question of jurisdiction of this honourable commission is raised through the instant application because the question of jurisdiction goes to the very root of the matter, being a substantial question of law, and the complaint can be disposed of on the question of jurisdiction" the statement said.

On the other hand, the counsel of petitioner, Faisal Chaudhry maintained that although it was a right of the respondent to raise an objection over the commission’s jurisdiction but he was required to file a written reply as had been sought by it repeatedly.

Faisal also claimed that ECP had refused to admit the application challenging its jurisdiction.

The ECP has now fixed the next hearing on August 17, when the body is slated to take up similar petitions filed by the PPP, PTI and others against the premier himself and his close relatives.