Petition challenging ECP notices filed in IHC: Asad Umar

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar said on Thursday that a petition had been filed in Islamabad High Court (IHC) to challenge the notices issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the public gathering in Dir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The minister maintained in a tweet that due process was being followed for issuance of the ordinance allowing public office holders to campaign.

“ECP cannot ignore the law in the field. The petition is co-signed by PM Imran Khan and myself,” he added.

Filed petition in Islamabad HC today, challenging notices issued by ECP, for dir jalsa . Due process has been followed for issuance of ordinance allowing public office holders to campaign. ECP cannot ignore a law in field. Petition is co signed by @ImranKhanPTI and myself

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 17, 2022

Earlier, ECP issued notices to the premier about his address in Lower Dir ahead of the second phase of local government elections in the province.

Besides PM Imran, those who were issued notices included KP Governor Shah Farman, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Parvez Khattak, Murad Saeed, Asad Umar, provincial cabinet members Shafiullah, Anwar Zeb, and Liaqat Ali.

The notices advised the PM and Chief Minister KP not to violate any provision of the code of conduct being the public officeholders.

An ECP official maintained that public office holders conducting any public meeting and canvassing for any candidate was a violation of the code of conduct for the elections.