Gulalai announced to quit the party in early August after levelling allegations of harassment and corruption against the PTI chief-Geo News

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday asked the lawyer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan whether disgruntled PTI MNA Ayesha Gulalai has formally left the party.

The ECP was hearing a reference against Gulalai filed by the party for defying orders.

?Did Ayesha Gulalai say she is leaving the party or has she left the party,? the bench member asked Imran's lawyer.

Imran?s lawyer Sikander Mohmand presented the transcripts of Gulalai?s press conferences and talk shows, saying that Gulalai?s statements about leaving the party ?mean she is leaving the party?.

?Imran Khan nominated Gulalai to the reserved seat as party head. She has resigned from party membership,? Mohmand said.

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Mohmand said that Gulalai in defiance of party policy did not participate in the polling to elect the prime minister and was instead conducting press conferences at the time, to which the ECP asked if she was present in the session called by the party on July 29 to select its nomination for the office. Mohmand informed the ECP that she was present in the meeting and that Imran had himself informed the party members of PTI?s nominee.

Gulalai?s lawyer Barrister Masroor meanwhile said that there is stark difference between saying ?I am leaving the party? and ?I have resigned?. He said that the PTI MNA will continue playing her role in the party.

The ECP has adjourned the hearing until Wednesday.

Gulalai announced to quit the party in early August after levelling allegations of harassment and corruption against the PTI chief.

She was subsequently sent a notice by Imran Khan stating that she has defected from the party in terms of Article 63 A (1) of the Constitution.

The notice, dated August 28, states that Gulalai on August 1 publically resigned from the party, did not vote for the party?s designated candidate in the prime minister?s elections on August 1.

National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq on August 31 sent a reference against Gulalai seeking to denotify from her seat, to the ECP.