Monday, Islamabad High Court (IHC) barred the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from taking any action against PM Khan. It issued restraining order over the election commission’s notice against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
On March 11, the ECP issued notices to PM Khan and other PTI officials for attending an election rally in Lower Dir in violation of the ECP rule of conduct. As a result, Federal Minister Asad Umar filed a petition, co-signed by PM, in IHC, challenging notices issued by ECP.
Asad Umar maintained that due process was being followed for issuance of the ordinance allowing public office holders to campaign. The minister was of the view that the ECP did not have the authority to interpret the law. Umar said that they requested the court to start hearing on the petition immediately.
Read more: ECP takes strict action against 150 lawmakers
In today’s hearing, the counsel of the ECP apprised the court that plaintiffs violated KP Local Government Act 2013. However, IHC directed ECP to not disqualify or impose fines on anyone till the next hearing. On the other hand, IHC asked the ECP to issue a notice in case of any further violations.
“Do not take any action except issuing a notice till next hearing,” Justice Amir Farooq reportedly said to ECP. The court then adjourned the hearing till April 6 and sought arguments in the next hearing.
ECP fines PM Khan
As PM Khan countered the Opposition’s no-confidence motion by holding rallies, the ECP served several notices to PM Khan.
Apart from the Lower Dir notice, ECP, on March 17, served show-cause notices to PM Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Mahmood Khan and federal and provincial ministers for violating the code of conduct by holding a public rally in Swat.
Additionally, on March 21, ECP served another notice to PM Khan for addressing a public gathering the same day in Malakand. Furthermore, ECP also imposed fines on PM Khan.
Read more: ECP warns PM Khan of legal action for violating code of conduct
The ECP fined PM Khan Rs. 50,000 for the third time for violation of the code of conduct during the second phase of the local government polls.
Never before a sitting PM gets so many notices.@ECP_Pakistan serves a notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan for addressing a public gathering the same day in Malakand and told him to answer for violating the code of conduct issued for local body elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
— Mariana Baabar (@MarianaBaabar) March 21, 2022