PML-N urges ECP to order NAB for Shehbaz Sharif's release
PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq sought Shehbaz's release under Article 218(3) of the constitution.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to pass orders for the release of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif.
Haq in a letter written to the electoral commission sought Shehbaz Sharif’s release under Article 218(3) of the constitution, adding that the arrest would influence the by-elections.
“ECP should take notice of Shehbaz’s arrest and direct National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release him. It is an attempt to influence results of upcoming by-polls,” read the letter.
“ECP should ensure the presence of polling agents inside polling stations. Long queues of voters should be prevented outside polling stations. Moreover, the voting process and counting should take place in the presence of polling agents.
“Technical issues pertaining to the Result Transmission System should be sorted out, and returning officers should hand over signed Form-47 to the polling agents,” it added.
Production orders issued
National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser on Wednesday had issued production orders for opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif.
The PML-N president in the wake of orders will be able to attend the extraordinary session of the National Assembly on October 17.
Arrested
Shehbaz Sharif was arrested in a graft case by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on October 5. He has been charged with awarding illegal contracts to his favourite firm in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scheme.
NAB investigators quizzed Shehbaz Sharif regarding a tender awarded to a private consultancy firm for feasibility of Saaf Pani Company.
The PML-N president had failed to satisfy the probing team of the bureau during the inquiry and was ultimately arrested.
The anti-graft watchdog has claimed that the company did not conduct any kind of survey. Nevertheless, the company was paid a lucrative sum of Rs1.5 billion.
Shehbaz was apprehended during his appearance before NAB in Saaf Pani Company scam. Sources told that three files were tabled before him.
Afterwards, Shehbaz Sharif was handed over to NAB on a 10-day physical remand to probe the Ashiana Housing scandal.
