“I refuse to furnish the required documents to the ECP unless the threatening letter is withdrawn… let the commission disqualify me,” says Chaudhry Nisar
A set of newly proposed amendments to nomination papers by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appeared to be a bitter pill for lawmakers from the government and opposition who expressed their willingness on Wednesday for scrutiny but sought changes in its modus operandi.
A day after the ECP unveiled over a dozen changes in the existing nomination papers, the lawmakers discussed the issue in the National Assembly.
Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan termed the requirement of a three-year financial history a ‘mockery’ and Raza Hayat Hiraj highlighted the taboo of providing the names of their children and spouses, but added that they were willing for scrutiny.
Once Chaudhry Nisar began the discussion over fresh letters sent by the ECP to MPs over fake degrees, political parties availed the opportunity to express their concerns with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, saying the commission’s actions – ban on recruitments and development funds – were a violation of the Constitution and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) urged others to obey the commission like it did during the verification of voters in Karachi.
In order to deal with the situation, Chaudhry Nisar proposed the constitution of a parliamentary committee which would meet the chief election commissioner and express their concerns. The proposal was endorsed by Hiraj and Riaz Fatyana of PML-Q and by the government. However, there was no official announcement on the proposed commission.
It all began when Chaudhry Nisar grilled the ECP over a letter which he said was not a “civilised way to interact with an MP”. The letter, warning of criminal proceedings, sought the submission of his education certificates along with 249 other MPs within 15 days. He clarified that he has taken both his O-level and A-level exams and floated the proposal that the commission verify this itself, along with all other MPs records.
“The Supreme Court does not allow public ridicule of MPs, the commission should have sent the letter without the threat of criminal proceedings,” Chaudhry Nisar added. “I refuse to furnish the required documents to the ECP unless the threatening letter is withdrawn… let the commission disqualify me.”
The commission should discuss changes with us, the real stakeholders, he added.
Law Minister Farooq Naek endorsed Chaudhry Nisar’s views over the fake degree issue and went on to say that “the ECP is violating Article 218 of the Constitution, since the elections schedule has not yet been announced but it has put a ban on development works.”
“Elections are just round the corner and such actions [by the ECP] may erode people’s hope for free and fair elections, which would be a conspiracy against democracy,” he added while expressing hope that the ECP would withdraw all 250 letters sent to MPs for submission of their educational certificates.
Chaudhry Nisar was quick to add, however, “we do not want to hinder the ECP in the verification of financial history but there is a civilised way to it.”
MQM’s Farooq Sattar said the degree issue should not be taken as a matter of ego and urged the MPs not to make the commission “controversial”.
Hiraj called for a change in the amendments proposed by the commission saying, “perhaps no member in this house would be willing to write in the name of his/her daughters.” “We are ready for strict scrutiny but it should not be the way it is,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2013.
COMMENTS (36)
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@S.S. Ahmad: No one is doubting anyone's degree. The lawmakers themselves are doubting their own degrees that is why they have a problem with submitting it. It is a requirement of the ECP, end of story. Submit your degree or get disqualified.
Those doubting Ch. Nisars degree Check out Aitchison College website. Nisar Ali Khan listed under Alumni "Pride of Aitchison" http://www.aitchison.edu.pk/view.php?i=41
"The commission should discuss changes with us, the real stakeholders, he(MP) added." -
Sorry Mr. MP stake holders of election is the general people and not the MPs.. ECP should tighten the noose further.with additional declarations viz. the candidate ( aspiring for election) should mention if any criminal case was accepted in the court/ punished and if so details thereof.. ( law breakers can't be lawmakers)
Well done ECP! The ECP should seriously think of introducing the biometric system of voting.
Fake degree holder must face ECP & courts. All MP's must declare the income & wealth .
Attitude
“I refuse to furnish the required documents to the ECP unless the threatening letter is withdrawn… let the commission disqualify me,” says Chaudhry Nisar
Should have been 5-years not 3-years.
ATTITUDE
“I refuse to furnish the required documents to the ECP unless the threatening letter is withdrawn… let the commission disqualify me,” says Chaudhry Nisar*
How piquant and paradoxical you sound when you say, "“we do not want to hinder the ECP in the verification of financial history but there is a civilised way to it.” The end of days is here.
In fact, the three-year requirement to furnish details of taxes paid, loans taken and written-off and other details is being soft on the 'paindoo politicians.'
Mr. Choudhary Nisar Ali Khan and others the honeymoon is over, Inshallah. Be prepared to face the "grapes of wrath." You will now have to suffer the ignominies of disqualification, accountability and PAYBACK to the people, banks, and FBR.
Wake up and call it a day because the sooner the atmosphere is decontaminated, the better for all of us. Salams 2013
This step by ECP must go on with its full potential and force to wipe out corrupt politicians out of the Parliament. Scrutinizing of these corrupt politician's family member will unveil many stories in near future.
Such shenanigans can only be expected if they have something to hide. ECP must take a stand and disqualify the goons who do fail to comply.
Fakru Bahi make the law and imposed it . Dont come under the influence of hypocrites .
@Usman: If you think they plan that far ahead in regard to banning youtube you're probably giving them more credit than they deserve. Anyone who thinks that was their original intention has somehow blocked out the extremely emotionally charged events at the time they did ban it. The only way it had something to do with elections is if they thought the ban itself would get them votes in the future.
If they dont provided proof don't give them permission to stand for elections. 15 days is a lot to provided one's degrees. We don't want liars and cheaters in our parliament again.
To start with don't vote for Ch. Nisar. Including all the rest of the current MNAs and MPAs. Let's elect a new lot of you know what!!
A swift slap to the face will dispel the anger issues. Too long this country has been ruled by corrupt and fake degree holders. All he has to do is to prove his degree is real, if anything it will work in his favor.
I have started believing that ECP is not finally independent and impartial. A Good news for Pakistan's future.
If USA president shows his income every yr and also how much tax he is paying. What is wrong with this guy that he is getting Ansy. He does not want to show his assets and tax return then sit at home . We as commoner has the right to know the finances of all the candidates.
Chaudhry Nisar, if you can't comply then pack up and go home. Enough is enough - it is time to clean up the house. You didn't prove yourself any better than PPP crooks.
Just do it you coward if you got nothing to hide then you got nothing to fear but we all know of the skeletons in the closet. N league grow a pair, instead of whining.
I am amazed...
MPs can make laws taxing citizens but not pay taxes MPs can own non duty paid cars,Prados etc and cry when their non-duty paid cars are stopped MPs can move around with armed guards, but when someone asks the source of money to maintain these guards,they object MPs want to rule over poor citizens,but their families have citizenships of other countries MPs send their children for overseas education but they do not pay taxes hence their source of income is dubious.
This time around,let honest tax paying MPs get elected with clean background
@Crying wolf: Ch Nisar A Khan is so unread that he has trying to be-fool the people that his O Level and A Level are equal to a BA.
So much for an independant election commission. Whatever happened to submitting before the law ? How shameless these so-called democrats.
"The commission should discuss changes with us, the real stakeholders, he added."
Ummm. no. It is the voters who are the real stakeholders.
All making lame excuses to legitimize their inadequate qualifications for elections. Go ECP! Take out all the rotten eggs from the assemblies. My prayers are with you.
Also, it is plain and simple that the Government has banned You Tube so that no election campaigning can take place by anti-status quo political parties. It's a nice move, but goes againt free and fair elections mantra of the PPP.
Someone should do a simple google search for our Law Minister Farooq Naek and see how he responded to Oxford university student's answers. Simply pathetic.
If the CEC withdraws the letters, it will be a clear indication of buckling under pressure when the nation needs him to stand his ground. Litmus test for our CEC.
Of course, any move towards transparency and free and fair elections will be bitterly opposed by all corrupt and sundry. Anyone who has anything to hide should be afraid, very afraid.
This is exactly how all you parliamentarians should be dealt. Good job ECP, we also think the same about them, they are far from being civilized, true representatives of the Pakistani people
Civilized way? Are you kidding? I feel that the likes of Ch.Nisar are more concerned about the scrutiny than the language of the letter.
So you can rule over us, but we have no right to know about your potential fraudulent past? Shameless.
Such a response was expected from narrow minded and short stature politicians. PTI is our only hope and so is of Pakistan.
So, when they stomp over the whole country with their guards looking down on us, that is democracy, and when these Gods are questioned about their educational credentials, they think this is below their status? What should ECP letter say? Should it beg their Highness to complete the process that should have been completed at least few years ago?
Can our respected MPs tell us if they also ridicule NADRA when it asks for names of family members? How about when they apply for foreign nationalities? (Mr. Nisar?) If he has taken his exams why not submit proofs instead of making faces? 3 yr financial history is very critical for us citizens to know where do our representatives earn from? We didn't ask them to stand in elections. They stood themselves so they better watch their tone and furnish information about their finances, family and personal lives as they deal with public matters. As a member of public I have a right to know Mr. Nisar!
awww, facing the law for the first time? Being all angry because truth will come out that you like most of the MP's don't have a BA degree? Or if they do they probably won't even know what BA is..?