Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former finance minister Ishaq Dar has written a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), pleading that the rule of taking oath within 40 days does not apply to him.
Dar had sent a letter to the ECP on September 29 stating that he had not taken oath as a senator, nor was he in a position to take so because of the suspension order of the top court against him.
He wrote that the ECP had issued a notification regarding his election as a senator, which was suspended by the Supreme Court on May 8, 2018.
He said his case is still pending in the apex court, and that he is in no position to take the oath of Senate until the suspension order holds the field.
Dar also referred to the Presidential Ordinance of September 1, under which a lawmaker who wilfully does not take oath within 40 days of the promulgation of the ordinance will cease to hold the office.
He said he would take the oath when the Supreme Court suspension order was withdrawn.
The former minister, who is in self-exile, has sent a copy of the letter to Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani. The federal government is eagerly waiting for Dar’s seat to become vacant so that Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin is elected as a senator on that seat.
GOVT MOVE: Meanwhile, the federal government has decided to approach the Supreme Court with a request to withdraw its order suspending the membership of Ishaq Dar as a senator.
On May 8, 2018, a three-judge bench headed by former chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar suspended his membership over his failure to appear in court despite repeated summons.
It is learnt that the government would submit the application next week.
