Pakistan opposition demands PM’s disqualification, Speaker accepts

Islamabad, Oct 1 (IANS) Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, has demanded disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and the plea has been forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Sadiq said: "I decided to send the reference to ECP to strengthen the Parliament... the decision was taken after I went through the documents," Dawn reported.

On August 15, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had filed a reference against the Prime Minister calling for his disqualification as a Member of the National Assembly.

The PTI's Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Chief Whip Shireen Mazari and senior leader and MNA Arif Alvi handed over the reference to Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in his office.

The reference was part of PTI's political efforts in the background of the Panama Papers leaks involving the Prime Minister, the party said in a statement.

Citing the Constitution, the PTI had said Sharif fell under the criterion to be disqualified as a Member of the National Assembly.