While annulling the amendment to the constitution of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday declared that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain will remain the president of the party, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

“The amendment to the party’s constitution during the ECP’s stay order is illegal,” the ECP stated in its ruling and rejected Chaudhry Wajahat’s plea to amend the party's charter.

The election commission noted that the PML-Q’s constitution allowed for the president to hold office for a term of three years and that Ch Shujaat had the right to amend the party’s constitution.

In reaction, PML-Q central information secretary Mustafa Malik said “Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is the constitutional and legal president of the PML-Q. The ECP’s decision is based on justice, and it is a moral victory for Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.”

“The ECP’s decision will help develop a democratic attitude in political parties. An attempt was made to mislead the ECP and the media by conducting fake elections. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is the elected president of the party. He was elected in accordance with the party’s constitution,” he added.

He further stated “In Lahore, fake elections were organised again and again. The election commissioner, who had elected Chaudhry Wajahat and Kamil Ali Agha, had already given an affidavit that all the poll proceedings were fake.”

“Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and all the party workers deserve accolades on the ECP’s decision. Under the leadership of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, we will make the party more active and dynamic,” he vowed.

In July last year, Pervaiz Elahi’s group had decided to remove Ch Shujaat and General Secretary Tariq Bashir Cheema from the party’s top position. However, Ch Shujaat had filed an application with the ECP challenging the decision.

The PML-Q had split into two groups over the issue of joining hands with the PTI and PML-N. Pervaiz Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi had then joined hands with Imran Khan while Ch Shujjat, his son Ch Salik supported the PML-N.

Earlier on January 16, PML-Q President Ch Shujaat Hussain had suspended the basic party membership of Pervaiz Elahi ahead of the expected merger of PTI and PML-Q.

Reporter: Usman Khan