Pakistan: Election body summons Nawaz Sharif in party name case

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been asked by the election commission to appear before it.

As per a petition, Sharif's party, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) should not carry his name as he was disqualified by the Supreme Court. Sharif has been summoned to appear before the apex court for the same on July 9.

The notice of the summon has been sent to Sharif's residence in Lahore.

Sharif, 68, was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panamagate verdict last year. He was then removed from the presidency of his party, PML-N.

Sharif was disqualified as the prime minister in July 2017 in connection to the Panama Papers case, however, the ruling party had managed to amend the Constitution to allow him to continue as the PML-N chairman.

Pakistan's political opposition challenged the act in the Supreme Court. The Court, this February, announced that a person disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution cannot serve as the head of a political party; Sharif was officially removed as the PML-N president. All decisions taken by him as the PML-N chief after July, 2017 are now deemed null and void.

Nawaz Sharif, last Sunday, announced that he won't be able to participate in the electoral campaign for the upcoming general elections.

Sharif stated the fragile medical condition of his wife Kulsoom Nawaz as the reason behind his inability to participate in the election campaign.

"Kulsoom Nawaz is my wife. I have certain responsibilities towards her," Geo News reported Sharif as saying.