ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday has asked the lawyer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) chairman Imran Khan whether discontented Ayesha Gulalai has formally left the party.
The ECP was hearing a reference which was filed against Gulalai for defying party orders.
“Did Ayesha Gulalai say she is leaving the party or has she left the party,” bench members asked Imran’s lawyer.
Imran’s lawyer Sikander Mohmand submitted a transcript of Gulalai’s press conferences and other media reports saying that Gulalai’s statement of leaving the party “meant she is leaving the party”
“Imran Khan was able to nominate Gulalai to the reserved seat as party head, but she since has resigned from party membership,” said Mohmand.
Mohmand further said that Gulalai in defiance of the party policy was not able to participate in the polling to elect the prime minister and was instead busy at her press conferences, to which the ECP asked if she was present in the session called by the party on July 29.
Gulalai’s Lawyer Barrister Masroor pointed out that there are subtle differences when you come to say “I am leaving the party” and I have resigned”. He said that the PTI MNA Gulalai will continue playing her part in the party.
The ECP adjourned the next date of hearing till Wednesday.
Gulalai did announce to quit the party earlier August after she came out with the alleged charges of harassment and corruption against PTI chief Imran Khan.
On August 28, a notice released stated that Gulalai on August 1 publically resigned from the party but did not vote for the party’s designation candidate in the prime minister’s elections on August 1.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on August 31 did send a reference against Gulali calling her to denotify from her party seat.
