ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected the disqualification petition against PTI senator Saifullah Abro, which was filed by senators Shahadat Awan and Majid Mahmood.
The reference alleged that Senator Abro did not meet the eligibility criteria for the technocrat seat and had a pending reference at NAB. The petition further claimed that the affidavit filed by Senator Abro contained misleading information regarding his dependents, agricultural income and assets. He accused him of having concealed the ownership of agricultural land by his children in the declaration of assets submitted with his declaration of candidacy.
Senate President Yousaf Raza Gillani cited Article 63(2) and referred the matter to the ECP under clause (3) of the same article, asking the Commission to determine whether Senator Abro should be disqualified from the Senate.
However, the three-member commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja ultimately ruled in favor of Senator Abro, rejecting the reference to disqualification.
The ECP delivered its reserved verdict on January 9, declaring Senator Abro eligible for the technocrat seat and rejecting the petition.
