Islamabad: No evidence of an Iqama (Gulf work and residency permit) or the alleged dual nationality of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz has been provided so far to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), sources say.
Pakistan’s former first lady can be declared ineligible to contest the by-polls as per law if credible documents proving Iqama and dual nationality are received.
According to ECP sources the reported details about Iqama of Kulsoom Nawaz wife of former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif have come to open following her nomination by PML-N as candidate in by polls on National Assembly seat in the NA-120 constituency ofLahore.
Sources said if Kulsoom is found to be holding dual nationality then her nomination papers can be rejected.
However the ruling party has declared the allegations of Iqama against Kulsoom Nawaz as fake, saying her rivals had also failed in providing any credible documents to the ECP.
According to sources, the majority of sitting Pakistani parliamentarians have dual nationality. However the ECP has not taken any decision so far to recheck nomination papers of these parliamentarians.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that he has no interest in establishing contact with ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, media reports said.
Zardari denied claims he backed Nawaz Sharif’s call for eliminating the articles 62 and 63 from constitution.
He said he would not become a part of any great debate saying Nawaz Sharif rather than democracy was under threat.
According to sources Zardari said “It is not correct that I am in any contact with Nawaz Sharif and we together want to abolish articles 62 and 63.”
According to sources, the ex-president said Sharif’spriorities were different when he enjoyed power and was in a strong position. He questioned why Sharif didn’t take notice of articles 62 and 63 when he was in power.
Zardari said the PPP also has no interest in becoming part of a “Grand National Dialogue” proposed recently by Nawaz Sharif.
Sources quoted Zardari saying that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief has a different attitude when he is in power and a completely different tone when he is not.
On Tuesday, Railways Minister Saad Rafique had said Zardari should advise his son and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who had earlier said that he would not receive a call from Sharif on his Grand National Dialogue initiative.
“Bilawal said he will not receive our call, we have not called him. I do not understand who is advising Bilawal,” said the PML-N leader.
“Zardari is a sensible person, he should advise his son.”
Earlier, during his Grand Trunk Road rally, Sharif had hinted at initiating a “Grand National Dialogue” with other political parties following his ouster by the Supreme Court.
