Panama leaks: ECP suspends hearing of disqualification references

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to suspend the hearing of disqualification references filed against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the Panama leaks until the Supreme Court decides on the matter.

The ECP took the decision on a plea submitted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's lawyer Sulman Aslam Butt, who pleaded to suspend the hearing on the references on grounds that the Supreme Court had taken up the matter.

The plea of the Prime Minister's counsel was earlier opposed by the members of opposition parties, who opined that the ECP being an autonomous body should continue hearing the references, reports the Dawn.

Three references against PTI leaders Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen were also turned down by the ECP.

Separate references against the Prime Minister, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Capt (Retd) Safdar and Hamza Shahbaz were submitted by the Pakistan Tehree-i-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People Party (PPP), Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and Awami Muslim League (AML).

The references against PTI leader Jahangir Tareen were submitted by two individuals Malik Khalil and Bilal.