LAW MAKERS PLEADED THEIR CASES ABOUT
Islamabad, the 29th November, 2010:- The hearing regarding fake/invalid degrees of thirteen Senators, MNA’s and MPA’s was held today under the Chairmanship of Mr. Muhammad Afzal Khan, the Nominated Officer of Election Commission of Pakistan under the direction of Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Representative/focal Person of Higher Education Commission (HEC), Mr. Rahim Bux Channa was also present. The detail is as under:
Senator Mir Mohabat Khan Marri appeared in person and pleaded that he had already submitted a copy of his graduation degree. The Committee asked him to provide copies of his matriculation and intermediate certificates and also informed him that the degree submitted by him is the same as was submitted with the nomination papers. The Senator requested the Committee to call the Controller of Examination, University of Punjab for verification of their record. The Committee decided to issue notice to the Controller of Examination, University of Punjab to present complete the record. His next date is in office.
Ms. Safina Saima Khar MPA (PP-Reserve) appeared in person and pleaded that the University of Peshawar was closed due to its Vice Chancellor’s kidnapping and sought adjournment. The case was adjourned by the Committee with a date in office.
Barrister Malik M. Rafiq Rijwana, appeared on behalf of Ms. Saima Aziz MPA (PP-Reserve) and pleaded that his client is the daughter of Mr. Mohiuddin and after getting marriage, her name was changed as Saima Aziz. He also argued that her Detail Marks Certificate has already been verified by the HEC and requested for verification of her degree as well. The Committee informed him the degree is genuine but the same was issued on 1st March 2008 i-e after the date of filing of nomination papers. He also pleaded that it is not the jurisdiction of the Committee to check whether the degree was issued before or after the filing of nomination papers rather the Committee has to check its genuineness. He also said that “the application which I have moved alongwith genuine documents confirming that Mrs. Saima Aziz held this degree of graduation from Islamia University Bahawalpur be decided first after due verification and thereafter the matter may kindly be fixed for arguments”. The case was adjourned on the request of the counsel and fixed for 13th December 2010.
For Ms. Samina Khawar Hayat MPA (PP-Reserve), Mr. Amir Saeed Rawn Advocate appeared and requested for adjournment. The Committee advised him to bring material that his client was qualified at the time of filing of nomination papers. The Committee fixed 13th December 2010 for next hearing.
Mr. Amir Saeed Rawn Advocate also appeared on behalf of Syeda Majida Zaidi MPA (PP-Reserve), submitted power of attorney and sought adjournment. The Committee provided him copies of the documents and advised him to prepare the case and assist the Committee by submitting credible evidences in support of his case on 13th December 2010.
Mr. Sami Hayat Advocate appeared on behalf of Mr. Mazhar Hayat MNA (NA-138) and requested for adjournment on the plea that the degree of his client was sent for verification to the Registrar of the University but according to the University rules, the Director of the concerned department is the custodian of the record. The Degree should, therefore, be sent to the Director of the University. The Committee advised him to submit all supporting documents in his defence and the case was adjourned for 13th December 2010.
For Mr. Sardar Ali MPA (PF-34), his brother Mr. Raza Muhammad appeared and pleaded that the degree available in the record does not relate to his brother. He presented a copy of another degree which was handed over to the HEC for verification. The case was adjourned for 13th December 2010.
Professor Shehzad appeared on behalf of Syed Aqil Shah MPA (PF-4) and pleaded that Syed Aqil Shah is busy in the wedding ceremony of his niece. He submitted copies of documents and written reply. His next date is in office.
A fax message was received from Ms. Rehana Yahya Baloch, Senator due to death of her mother; she is unable to appear before the Committee. The Committee fixed 20th December 2010 as next date of hearing.
A case Mr. Jawad Hussain MNA (NA-39) is fixed in the Balochistan High Court for today i-e 29th November 2010 therefore the case has been adjourned. The Committee fixed 6th December 2010 as next date of hearing.
Mr. Bashir Ahmed Khan MPA (PS-56) failed to appear before the Committee and the Committee decided to fix 6th December 2010 as date of hearing. Nawab Zada Mir Nadir Magsi MPA (PS-40) also failed to appear and the Committee fixed 6th December 2010 for next hearing. Syed Muhammad Salman Mohsin MNA (NA-165) was also absent and the Committee fixed 2oth December as next date of hearing.