ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has adjourned till April 2 hearing of petitions seeking deseating of MQM defected parliamentarians and Deputy Mayor Karachi.
A 4-member bench of ECP presided over by Member Election Commission Sindh Abdul Ghaffar Soomro Thursday took up for hearing the petitions seeking disqualification of members of national assembly and provincial assembly and deputy mayor Karachi who have defected from MQM.
Counsels for defected parliamentarians, deputy mayor Karachi and Dr Farooq Sattar appeared before Election Commission.
Counsel for deputy mayor Karachi Arshid Vohra told the commission that matter related to convenorship of MQM is sub judice and he will be able to advance arguments after the decision in this case.
The female member of election commission said some members were to file reply and their replies have not been received so far.
Irum Azeem Farooqi, member of Sindh Assembly from MQM appeared in the election commission in person.
The commission directed Irum Azeem Farooqi to file written reply.
She told the commission that she has not joined any party and even then notice of disqualification has been given to her.
Election commission adjourned the hearing of the case till April 02.
Talking to media men outside the election commission deputy mayor Karachi Arshid Vohra said the matter is pending due to MQM Pakistan convenorship issue. Unfortunately MQM leaders have become involved in internal conflicts and no one is caring for the people of Karachi.
He said that matter of chairmanship of MQM Pakistan will be decided on March 26 and then the matter of defected members will be decided. We request election commission to decide the case early so that deprivations of the people of Karachi could be allayed.