The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday linked the election result of PTI leader Pervez Khattak to the verdict of a case registered against him over use of foul language against political rivals in his speeches.
The electoral body had earlier sent notices to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) former chief minister Pervez Khattak, National Assembly former speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman for using indecent language during their election campaigns.
Lawyers of the three political leaders appeared before the commission on Saturday. As the hearing started, the ECP rejected the replies submitted by Pervez Khattak, Ayaz Sadiq and Maulana Fazlur Rehman and instructed them to submit an affidavit pledging to refrain from using foul language during the election campaign.
The ECP also said that Pervez Khattak’s election result will be based on the verdict of the case registered against him in the electoral body for using foul language while on the campaign trail. Babar Awan represented Pervez Khattak at the hearing as his legal counsel.
Speaking with Ayaz Sadiq’s counsel, the chief election commissioner remarked, “You should be ashamed at your client’s words.” He asked why Sadiq had used such a language as he was the former speaker of the National Assembly. Sadiq’s counsel assured the electoral body that the code of conduct will be followed in future.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s counsel, Kamran Murtuza, could not appear before the bench and his assistant informed the commission that Kamran received the notice very late, hence could not appear in time for the hearing.
Earlier on July 18, the electoral body had summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over the alleged use of foul language against rival political parties and candidates.
Published in Daily Times, July 22nd 2018.
