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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Waheeda Shah case: Sindh, federal govts at odds over PPP candidate’s fate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/415581/waheeda-shah-case-sindh-federal-govts-at-odds-over-ppp-candidate%e2%80%99s-fate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/415581/waheeda-shah-case-sindh-federal-govts-at-odds-over-ppp-candidate%e2%80%99s-fate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 12 19:55:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[‘The election committee is equal to an Election Tribunal and can disqualify Shah’.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The counsels for the Sindh and federal governments argued about the lawfulness of Waheeda Shah’s disqualification before Justice Munib Akhtar and Justic Aftab Ahmed Gorar of the Sindh High Court on Tuesday.

Sindh government’s counsel supported Shah, who was a candidate of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) while the counsel for federal government defended the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan for disqualifying the candidate who had contested by-elections from PS-53. They had been called by the bench as parties to help explain the matter at hand.

Additional Advocate General (AAG) of Sindh, Adnan Karim Memon, based his argument on a minute technicality in the law. He said that if the returning officer or the election commission is authorized to take immediate action against a candidate then there was no need to hold summary proceedings and that too three days after the elections which were held on February 25.

He stated that the election commission had no authority to disqualify Shah and declare the by-elections null and void.

Sindh AAG also annoyed the judges by evading their questions. The bench remarked later, “We expect higher quality of assistance from you,” and reminded him that he was standing before a high court bench, not before a judicial magistrate.

To this, Yusuf Leghari, former advocate general of Sindh, who was representing Aamir Zardari, Shah’s rival candidate, reiterated the election commission’s argument that the returning officer had the authority to take action if anyone interrupted, hindered or affected the process of election in any manner whatsoever. He rubbished the arguments put forward by Shah’s lawyer, Haider Imam Rizvi, who had argued that after the elections are over and the polling officer signs the “Form 16”, which is the unofficial result or the votes secured by the candidate, the elections become a closed chapter. Leghari said that a returning officer could exercise his authority within 45 days after the elections. He also referred to the observations made by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The apex court had taken a suo motu notice of the entire episode and had ordered that all the police officials who were present at the time of alleged incident be suspended because they did nothing. Waheeda Shah had slapped a polling staff and the entire episode was broadcasted on live television.

The SHC, argued Leghari, cannot disregard the observations made by the apex court. While talking about proof, he commented that since the footage was aired live by television channels and there were pictures published in newspapers, the presence of a Presiding Officer (PO) and the summary proceedings were useless.

Leghari also pointed out that according to Shah’s own statement, she had asked for forgiveness from the abused polling staff but in the election matter the offence was not compoundable.

He refuted the argument, that only the election commissioner has the authority to disqualify a candidate, which had been made by Shah’s lawyer. Leghari responded that the three-member election committee was equal to an “Election Tribunal” and had the power to disqualify a candidate.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>‘Only the chief election commissioner can punish Waheeda Shah’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/413336/%e2%80%98only-the-chief-election-commissioner-can-punish-waheeda-shah%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/413336/%e2%80%98only-the-chief-election-commissioner-can-punish-waheeda-shah%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 12 22:56:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The bench put off the hearing till Monday.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Only the chief election commissioner has the power to punish a candidate in an election and not a returning officer, argued Waheeda Shah’s lawyer on Thursday.


The Pakistan Peoples Party ticket holder won the by-election in Hyderabad but was declared disqualified after she slapped polling staff.

Her appeal against the decision was heard by Sindh High Court’s Justices Munib Akhtar and Aftab Ahmed Gorar.

Her lawyer, Haider Imam Rizvi, presented arguments for the second consecutive day on Thursday. He maintained that the decision made by a three-member commission was defective as it was based on the decision made by the returning officer.

Rizvi pleaded that while Shah was convicted and punished under section 100 of the Peoples’ Representation Act only the chief election commissioner had the power to punish a candidate and not a three-member commission.

He also relied on section 103-AA of the Peoples Representation Act, saying that this section did not apply in her case as the commission did not examine any material. The commission only went on the returning officer’s position, which was subsequently dismissed by the appellate forum, in this case, the district and sessions court of Hyderabad. He also raised the point of double jeopardy and said that while she was disqualified the registration of an FIR was also ordered against her.

The bench put off the hearing till Monday.

Shah’s case gained notoriety as she was caught on camera slapping polling staff in a scene that was witnessed by millions of Pakistanis on their television screens.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Wahida Shah’s case: Court overturns verdict of summary trial</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/386569/wahida-shah%e2%80%99s-case-court-overturns-verdict-of-summary-trial</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/386569/wahida-shah%e2%80%99s-case-court-overturns-verdict-of-summary-trial#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 31 May 12 04:19:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[I was optimistic about getting justice from the courts, says Wahida.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Syeda Wahida Shah Bukhari, who was caught on camera assaulting polling staff during the by-elections, won one of her two ongoing court battles on Wednesday.


A district and sessions court overturned the punishment of her summary trial which was conducted by the returning officer Asghar Ali Siyal.

The 6th Additional District and Session judge, Shahid Pervez Memon, announced the order which he had reserved on the last hearing. The RO had imposed Rs1,000 penalty or a day’s imprisonment on her. If convicted, she would have been disqualified from contesting the elections.

“I was optimistic about getting justice from the courts,” said a triumphant Shah, who won the February 25 by-elections on PS-53 constituency in Tando Muhammad Khan.

She is fighting two separate lawsuits in the district and sessions court and the Sindh High Court (SHC). In the latter case, she has challenged the verdict of the Election Commission of Pakistan which disqualified her from contesting the elections for two years and also nullified the results of February 25 by-polls in Tando Muhammad Khan. “The outcome of this case will make her plea in the SHC stronger,” contended advocate Hyder Imam Rizvi, Shah’s counsel. The SHC, which earlier stayed the April-26 by-polls in the 53- constituency on the request of Shah, adjourned the hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Court rounds: Wahida Shah case adjourned</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/383768/court-rounds-wahida-shah-case-adjourned</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/383768/court-rounds-wahida-shah-case-adjourned#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 24 May 12 22:33:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=383768</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The ECP disqualified her for assaulting staff in Tando Muhammad Khan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Eager to be back in power, Wahida Shah was disappointed yet again as the court adjourned case proceedings without fixing a new date.

On April 24, the Sindh High Court had stayed the verdict of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for her disqualification and said that she could not contest in elections for two years. Shah was punished for violating election rules and assaulting the female polling staff in Tando Muhammad Khan in the by-elections for PS-53 on February 25.

The ECP challenged the SHC order with an emergency plea in the Supreme Court and the case was heard on May 14. On Thursday, Shah’s lawyer, Advocate Haider Imam Rizvi, informed the divisional bench, Justice Aqeel Abbasi and Justice Muhammad Tasnim, that the SC had dismissed the urgency plea.

The advocate claimed that Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Ali Shaikh had failed to submit the details of the SC petition as required by the SHC. Rizvi reminded the court that on the last day of the hearing, May 15, the DAG was given eight days time to provide the details that he could not. “We gave you an opportunity. Our order has been challenged in the honourable Supreme Court,” said Justice Aqeel Abbasi to the DAG. “Don’t you think propriety warrants that we are provided the details?”

Shaikh responded by telling the judge that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhamamd Chaudhry was hearing cases at the Quetta registry and thus the issue was delayed. He asked the court to give him a week to prepare a report.

The lawyer of PS-53 candidate Amir Zardari, who became a party to the petition, asked the court to dismiss Wahida Shah’s petition as the SC would hear the case. He wants fresh by-elections to take place in the constituency. “The delay is denying the fundamental rights,” said advocate Muhammad Yousuf Laghari. However, he was asked to file a separate petition if he felt that his rights were being infringed. “The petitioner [Wahida Shah] in this case is aggrieved by an order [ECP’s verdict] and seeks justice,” said Justice Abbasi.

The circuit bench noted that its tenure will expire in a week and asked all those involved in the case to seek a new date for the hearing from the office.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>ECP verdict suspended: Waheeda Shah wins breather from SHC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/369514/ecp-verdict-suspended-waheeda-shah-wins-breather-from-shc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/369514/ecp-verdict-suspended-waheeda-shah-wins-breather-from-shc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 12 04:10:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[z.ali]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Court grants stay against rescheduled election.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Two days ahead of a rescheduled by-election in Tando Muhammad Khan’s PS-53 constituency, Waheeda Shah, previously disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), won a breather at the Sindh High Court (SHC).

A divisional bench of the SHC granted a stay against the by polls scheduled for April 26. The February 25 by-polls failed to fill the vacant seat after contender Shah was disqualified for assaulting two female election staffers at a polling station.

The seat had fallen vacant following the demise of MPA Syed Mohsin Shah Bukhari, who was Shah’s husband.

The bench comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Nisar Ahmed Shaikh also suspended the verdict of the ECP which disqualified her for two years from contesting elections and revoked the February by-poll results which were in her favour.

“The returning officer (RO) had consolidated the results and my client was unofficially declared a winner after begging 31,131 votes,” said Shah’s attorney Hyder Imam Rizvi.

The lawyer maintained that the two women who were assaulted have publicly said that the incident was a misunderstanding which had been resolved. “They submitted in their statement to the RO that they have forgiven Shah.” Rizvi also questioned the penalising of his client by the RO, who gathered 13 testimonies, which did not include one from Shah.

The stay against the polls also affect the prospects of Syed Aijaz Shah Bukhari, a cousin of late Mohsin Shah, to become MPA. He was the front-runner on a ticket of the Pakistan Peoples Party for the April 26 elections. After the death of Mohsin Shah, the name of Aijaz surfaced as the PPP candidate but Waheeda stepped in.

CEC visit

A visit from the acting chief election commissioner, Justice Shakirullah Jan, to Tando Muham­mad Khan coincided with the SHC hearing but wrapped up before the court’s ruling.  While talking to the media at the local Circuit House, he clarified that there would be no ban on media coverage of the by-election at polling stations.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2012.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Waheeda Shah ineligibility: Sindh High Court suspends ECP’s order</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/369221/waheeda-shah-ineligibility-sindh-high-court-suspends-ecp%e2%80%99s-order</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/369221/waheeda-shah-ineligibility-sindh-high-court-suspends-ecp%e2%80%99s-order#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 12 09:59:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh High Court passes injunctive order for April 26 by-elections.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court has suspended Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order which declared Pakistan Peoples Party’s member Waheeda Shah Bukhari ineligible to run for elections, Express News reported on Tuesday.

Justice Aqeel Abbasi and Justice Nisar Ahmad Shaikh were hearing the case at Sindh High Court Hyderabad bench.

After hearing the arguments of Bukhari’s lawyer Haider Imam Rizvi, the court suspended ECP’s order and passed an injunctive order for April 26 by-elections.

The hearing was adjourned till May 15.

Bukhari faced an inquiry for assaulting polling staff and is also involved in an alleged case of rigging during the by-polls in PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan.

She was declared the winner in the initial vote-count of the provincial seat by-poll (PS-53), but following the infamous slapping incident caught on video, the ECP withheld official results.

She was caught on camera slapping two female presiding officers at polling station no. 16 at the Government Girls High School.]]>
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			<title>Wahida Shah’s petition: Court turns down petitioner’s plea</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/367260/wahida-shah%e2%80%99s-petition-court-turns-down-petitioner%e2%80%99s-plea</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/367260/wahida-shah%e2%80%99s-petition-court-turns-down-petitioner%e2%80%99s-plea#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 12 00:29:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bukhari’s counsel argues that there is no evidence.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Election Commission and the Provincial Election Commissioner (PEC) defended themselves in the Sindh High Court for penalising Wahida Shah Bukhari, the by-polls contestant in PS-53 constituency of the Sindh Assembly.

In their replies submitted through the deputy attorney general (DAG), Muhammad Ali Sheikh, to the Hyderabad circuit bench on Thursday, they cited sections 100 and 103 AA of Representation of Peoples Act, 1976, to justify the Election Commission verdict.

The poll body disqualified Bukhari from contesting elections for two years and also nullified the by-election results which she had unofficially won. She was accused of assaulting the polling staff during the February 25 by-polls.

“The action of slapping and disturbance falls within the scope of corrupt practice and relevant provisions of law were applied while deciding the matter by majority,” said the PEC, Sono Khan Baloch.

Section 100 of the act refers to the power of a tribunal to disqualify a candidate for up to five years on account of certain offences. Section 103 AA empowers the commission to declare a poll void on the basis of ‘facts apparent on the face of the record’.

Baloch also justified the summary trial by the Returning Officer (RO) Asghar Ali Siyal. “Enormous evidence was collected and rightly evaluated by the RO, culminating in Bukhari’s conviction.”

The DAG also questioned the maintainability of the petition filed by Bukhari. The petitioner’s counsel, advocate Hyder Imam Rizvi, argued that there is no evidence on record that underpins the judgment of the ECP. He asked the bench to stay the April 26 by-elections in PS-53 constituency by restoring the results of the February 25 by-polls and for setting aside the ECP’s disqualification verdict.

However, the bench of Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbassi and Justice Nisar Ahmed Shaikh declined the stay plea and adjourned the hearing till April 24 when the DAG and Additional Advocate General will argue their case.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2012.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Entourage in tow: Wahida Shah’s bail extended till April 25</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/366772/entourage-in-tow-wahida-shah%e2%80%99s-bail-extended-till-april-25</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/366772/entourage-in-tow-wahida-shah%e2%80%99s-bail-extended-till-april-25#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 12 04:20:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=366772</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Bukhari is facing two separate convictions given by the ECP and the Returning Officer.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The sixth additional and sessions judge, Shahid Pervez Memon, extended the bail of Wahida Shah Bukhari in the case of her summary trial till the next date of hearing on April 25.

Tens of supporters encircled Bukhari as she made her way through the court on Wednesday, to forcefully maintain a distance from journalists. Some even entreated them to leave her alone.

As the media continued to hurl questions at her, Bukhari finally commented before stepping into her car. “I don’t know anything about the case. Talk to my lawyer.”

Bukhari is facing two separate convictions given by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Returning Officer (RO) of the February 25 by-polls in PS-53 constituency of Tando Muhammad Khan. She has been charged with assaulting the staff, Shagufta Memon and Habeeban Memon, at a polling station during the by-elections.

While the former banned her from competing in the elections for two years and invalidated the results, the latter announced a Rs1,000 penalty or a day’s imprisonment.

Hyder Imam Rizvi, Bukhari’s counsel, told the media that both the convictions of her client were controversial. “One was given by a 3-2 vote by the ECP members, in which the two opposing votes belong to Sindh.

The other, by the RO who was a complainant in the FIR against Wahida Shah and also conducted her trial.”

The Sindh High Court, Hyderabad bench, will hear the petition of Bukhari challenging the ECP decision on April 19. The ECP will hold the by-polls in the constituency of Bukhari on April 25 in which her relative, Syed Aijaz Shah Bukhari, will contest on the Pakistan Peoples Party’s ticket.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>PS-53 seat: PPP nominates Waheeda Shah’s relative</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/360378/ps-53-seat-ppp-nominates-waheeda-shah%e2%80%99s-relative</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/360378/ps-53-seat-ppp-nominates-waheeda-shah%e2%80%99s-relative#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 12 22:55:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The new PPP nominee, Aijaz Shah Bukhari, is a first cousin of Mohsin Shah.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Election Commission in Sindh finalised and put out the list of candidates for by-election for PS-53 Tando Mohammad Khan seat on Thursday.


It was initially won by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Waheeda Shah Bukhari but after she was disqualified for slapping a polling staff, the PPP nominated her relative Aijaz Shah Bukhari.

The Tando Mohammad Khan seat was originally declared vacant after its occupant, PPP MPA Mohsin Shah Bukhari died. PPP then nominated his widow Waheeda Shah. The Election Commission of Pakistan banned her from contesting public office for two years, however, and nullified the results of the by-poll after she was caught on video assaulting a polling staff.

The new PPP nominee, Aijaz Shah Bukhari, is a first cousin of Mohsin Shah. He served as the opposition leader in Tando Muhammd Khan’s district council when former president Pervez Musharraf was in power, and he currently works as the district vice-president of the party.

“Waheeda Shah has challenged her eligibility in court. But the party leadership has allotted the seat to me,” said Aijaz. A total of 20 candidates will contest the by-election, which will take place on April 26.

None of the mainstream political parties, except for PPP, have fielded their candidates for this election and a majority of the contesting candidates are running independently. According to sources, the main contenders for the PS-53 seat are Aijaz Shah and Shaukat Talpur, the brother of Mushtaque Talpur. Mustaque was defeated by Waheeda Shah.

Sindh Election Commissioner Sono Khan Baloch said that the election commission was considering setting up CCTV cameras at polling stations, because of the sensitivity of the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Slapgate affair: ECP officer contests sessions court’s jurisdiction</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/355512/slapgate-affair-ecp-officer-contests-sessions-court%e2%80%99s-jurisdiction</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/355512/slapgate-affair-ecp-officer-contests-sessions-court%e2%80%99s-jurisdiction#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 12 23:59:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=355512</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Siyal maintained that the sessions court was not the right platform for an appeal against the verdict of the ECP.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A court hearing the petition of Syeda Wahida Shah Bukhari challenging a Rs1,000 penalty imposed by the trial court, adjourned on Monday after the respondent questioned the court’s authority to hear the case. Asghar Ali Siyal, the returning officer of the PS-53 constituency in Tando Muhammad Khan, had lodged an FIR against Shah and later punished her with a fine under the Election Commission of Pakistan’s laws.


In his reply submitted through public prosecutor Haresh Deewan, Siyal maintained that the sessions court was not the right platform for an appeal against the verdict of the ECP. He said that he was given the power of a first-class magistrate to conduct her trial and give a verdict.

Shah approached the court, seeking pre-arrest bail and nullification of the order against her, a day before the seven-day period of paying the fine had lapsed. She would have become a convict by paying the fine or by going to jail for a day or failing to pay it.

The sixth additional district and sessions judge Shahid Pervez Memon adjourned the hearing till April 9 and extended her bail till the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Wahida Shah case: SHC adjourns hearing to March 29</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/353734/wahida-shah-case-shc-adjourns-hearing-to-march-29</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/353734/wahida-shah-case-shc-adjourns-hearing-to-march-29#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 12 21:47:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=353734</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bukhari had challenged in the high court the two-year ban on her from contesting in the elections.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court adjourned the petition of Syeda Wahida Shah Bukhari to a day after the Supreme Court proceeds with its suo moto case on March 28. The Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Ali, who represented the Election Commission of Pakistan, brought the proceedings to the court’s knowledge on Thursday.


Disagreeing with the stance of DAG, the petitioner’s counsel advocate Jhamat Mal Jethanand maintained that during the March 12 hearing the apex court had ordered the Election Commission and the returning officer of PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan to adjudicate on the matter. However, he could not corroborate his position when the court asked to present the SC order of that date.

The divisional bench of Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbassi and Justice Muhammad Tasnim adjourned the case to March 29. The bench summoned the Attorney General of Pakistan and Advocate General of Sindh on the next hearing.

Bukhari had challenged in the high court the two-year ban on her from contesting in the elections and withholding of February 25 by-election results. Her plea for a stay on the by-elections in the same constituency on April 26 was rejected in the last hearing on March 19.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Slapgate: Waheeda Shah challenges ECP ban, files petition with SHC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/352388/slapgate-waheeda-shah-challenges-ecp-ban-files-petition-with-shc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/352388/slapgate-waheeda-shah-challenges-ecp-ban-files-petition-with-shc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Mar 12 21:33:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=352388</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The ECP has no authority to invalidate poll results and to disqualify a contestant, says Bukhari’s counsel.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Hoping to cling on to her electoral victory in the recent by-elections, Syeda Waheeda Shah Bukhari challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) ruling of March 6 by filing a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday. Shah disputed the ECP’s decision of March 7, which nullified the result of the by-polls in Tando Mohammad Khan, and also barred her from contesting elections for the two years.


The court, however, rejected her plea for issuing a stay order against holding by-elections in her PS-53 constituency in Tando Mohammad Khan, which is scheduled for April 26.

“The ECP has no authority to invalidate poll results and to disqualify a contestant,” said Bukhari’s counsel, advocate Jhamat Mal. He cited sections 100 and 103-A of the election laws in support of his contention. ECP members from Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa voted in favour of the decision, while Justice (retd) Roshan Esani from Sindh and the chief election commissioner, Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, opposed it.

Bukhari shot to infamy after she assaulted members of the polling staff during by-elections on February 25. Her counsel also challenged the authority of the returning officer, Asghar Siyal, to nominate her in an FIR at the Tando Mohammad Khan police station, and subsequently fine her Rs1,000 on March 5. “He (Siyal) had a magistrate’s powers only on election day. His orders of February 27 and March 5 have no legal force,” said advocate Mal.

The divisional bench of Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Muhammad Tasnim issued notices for March 22 to the respondents, including the ECP, provincial and district election commissioners, Siyal and Mir Mushtaq Talpur, who secured the second largest number of votes in the by-elections.

Last week, Bhukhari challenged Siyal’s case against her, as well as the Rs1,000 fine that he had imposed on her, in the district and sessions court.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Slap ban: Waheeda Shah files petition challenging ECP's decision</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/352076/slap-ban-waheeda-shah-files-petition-challenging-ecps-decision</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/352076/slap-ban-waheeda-shah-files-petition-challenging-ecps-decision#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Mar 12 10:28:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=352076</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petition challenges ECP’s decision to ban Waheeda Shah for slapping two women at a polling station.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party’s MPA Waheeda Shah Bukhari filed a petition in the Hyderabad Bench of the Sindh High Court on Monday challenging Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision of banning Bukhari from contesting elections for two years and nullifying the results of PS-53 constituency.

The petition also challenged ECP’s decision of holding by-polls of Sindh Assembly seat PS-53 again, and asked the court to issue a stay order in this regard.

The petition was filed by her counsel on her behalf.

Besides facing an inquiry for assaulting polling staff, Bukhari was also involved in an alleged case of rigging during the by-polls in PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan.

She was declared the winner in the initial vote-count of the provincial seat by-poll (PS 53), but following the infamous slapping incident caught on video, the ECP withheld official results.

She was caught on camera slapping two women at polling station No. 16 at the Government Girls High School.]]>
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			<title>Only a slap?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/349489/only-a-slap</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/349489/only-a-slap#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 12 18:01:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[amber.darr]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=349489</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[I am dismayed by the barometer with which the Supreme Court appears to gauge the seriousness of events.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[According to news reports, on February 25, Waheeda Shah, the PPP candidate for by-elections to the Sindh Provincial Assembly, slapped the Presiding Officer Habiba Memon and Assistant Presiding Officer Shagufta Memon, for allegedly allowing the casting of fake votes. These slaps may have gone entirely unnoticed had it not been for two events that followed in quick succession: first, the media immediately reported this incident and second, Anita Turab, a grade 19 officer serving in Islamabad, filed a petition before the Supreme Court of Pakistan asking it to take suo motu notice of the incident.

Turab made an impassioned plea and even though she did not mention any other civil servant by name, indicated that she was not alone in her outrage. She expressed shock and grief at the blind eye turned by the government of Sindh and its law enforcement agencies at this public humiliation of their colleagues and bemoaned the lot of civil servants whose honour had been compromised at the hands of not merely a member of the public but, in fact, a person aspiring to be elected as the people’s representative. The incorrigible Ms Shah, meanwhile, maintained a cavalier attitude, declaring before the media, that it was, after all, only a slap!

According to Article 184(3) of the 1973 Constitution, under which Turab has filed her petition, the Supreme Court can only take suo motu notice of a matter if it considers “that a question of public importance with reference to any of the Fundamental Rights….is involved”. In the Supreme Court’s view, this slap raised an issue of such grave public concern that it merits its time and immediate attention. The Supreme Court has already held two hearings in a span of 10 days, issued notices to the top brass of Sindh police and perhaps, most interestingly, declared that the slapping is more serious than the killing of a youth at the hands of Rangers in Karachi!

Whilst I fully endorse the intrepid Anita Turab, who has not only risked the wrath of the ruling party, but has also put her career on the line, I am dismayed by the barometer with which the Supreme Court appears to gauge the seriousness of events because, try as I do, I am unable to understand why this incident is more outrageous than an unlawful killing at the hands of the Rangers. I am also apprehensive by the narrow line of inquiry adopted by the Supreme Court so far, which appears to be focused on the treatment of civil servants, and especially, perhaps of women officers, rather than the significantly more important issue raised by the allegation that these election officers were allowing fake votes to be cast at their polling station.

No, please do not get me wrong: a slap is unwarranted, no matter what the circumstances. In fact, I am only sorry that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has only imposed a two-year ban on Ms Shah, and that, too, on a 3-2 vote, rather than a unanimous one (two commissioners, including the chairperson, were against the disqualification). My only concern is that in failing to order a thorough investigation of the events that led to the slap, the Supreme Court may unwittingly overlook the basis of the allegation and thereby compromise the transparency of the electoral process.

I wonder also, if in determining the rights of the civil service, the Supreme Court will remind it of its duties. The derogatory attitude adopted by even the lowest cadre of civil servants towards ordinary members of the public, who suffer the misfortune of having to deal with them, is no secret. Where is their honour when it comes to accepting petty bribes? Where is it when they shout at obviously under-privileged citizens or when they make them wait endlessly for a mere audience? Where is it when they indulge in blatant nepotism? Perhaps, this is an opportunity for civil servants, at all levels, to take a long, hard look at themselves and to realise that the respect, honesty and impartiality they rightly demand from politicians is also owed to the ordinary citizens of this country.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Judge suspends Rs1,000 penalty imposed on Waheeda Shah</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/348973/judge-suspends-rs1000-penalty-imposed-on-waheeda-shah</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/348973/judge-suspends-rs1000-penalty-imposed-on-waheeda-shah#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Mar 12 12:43:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[z.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=348973</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A summary trial by Returning Officer Asghar Ali Siyal had imposed a penalty of Rs1,000 on Waheeda Shah.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The 6th Additional and Sessions Judge, Shahid Pervez Memon has suspended the Rs1,000 penalty imposed on Waheeda Shah for the PS-53 by-elections by Returning Officer Asghar Ali Siyal under Article 86-3(b) of the Election Laws of Pakistan.

Waheeda Shah Bukhari of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had appeared before the court on Monday and submitted a bail plea through her counsel, Advocate Nisar Durrani. She appealed for the suspension of the punishment given to her through a summary trial conducted by Siyal.

Speaking to the media outside the courtroom, the petitioner’s counsel contended that the election commission had taken notice of the issue on February 27, two days after the incident.

Durrani said that the summary trial had imposed a penalty of Rs1,000 on Waheeda Shah, which had to be paid within a week and she would face one-day imprisonment if she failed to do so.

"Either ways, by paying a penalty or undergoing a day's jail sentence, she would have become a convict and, hence, disqualified to become a member of the Sindh Assembly," Durrani said. He also denied that Waheeda Shah had assaulted the polling staff at Polling Station Number 16 in Tando Muhammad Khan.

"No evidence has surfaced to support this allegation," he added.
Waheeda Shah, who came clad in a burqa, refused to speak to the media.
She had earlier appeared before the district and sessions judge and later after the case was shifted to the 6th ADJ, she had herself submitted the appeal before the judge.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier imposed a two-year ban on Waheeda Shah from taking part in elections and nullified the result of a by-poll that took place for a Sindh provincial assembly seat PS-53.]]>
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			<title>PS-53’s slap: PPP likely to favour same family for Waheeda’s replacement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/348372/ps-53%e2%80%99s-slap-ppp-likely-to-favour-same-family-for-waheeda%e2%80%99s-replacement</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/348372/ps-53%e2%80%99s-slap-ppp-likely-to-favour-same-family-for-waheeda%e2%80%99s-replacement#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 11 Mar 12 03:10:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=348372</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Waheeda Shah blames media for being thrown out, plans to challenge court decision.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Now that Waheeda Shah Bukhari has been disqualified, there are three possible Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates who could fight for the Tando Mohammad Khan seat. Party sources say preference will be given to a relative of her late husband, MPA Mohsin Shah Bukhari.


His widow Waheeda Shah won the by-election on February 25, but was thrown out by the Election Commission for slapping polling staff.

“The party will either allot the seat to Eijaz Shah Bukhari, the first cousin of Mohsin Shah, who is also vice-president of the district, or nominate Syed Qasim Shah, the son of federal minister Naveed Qamar or Haji Amin Lakho, the party president in TM Khan,” sources said.

The by-election will be rescheduled by Tuesday but as Waheeda Shah has said that she plans to challenge her disqualification in court, Provincial Election Commissioner Sono Khan Baloch told The Express Tribune that they could wait if a stay order is passed.

The PPP plans to stage a big rally and public gathering today (Sunday) with party leaders calling for a referendum in Waheeda’s favour. “The strong reaction prevails among the local people against EC’s decision. PPP MPA from Tando Muhammad Khan, Mohammad Nawaz Chandio, told The Express Tribune that this was the first time such punishment had been handed down even though polling agents have been beaten, kidnapped by opposition parties. “I say the election commission’s decision is against the mandate of 30,000 voters who have elected their candidate,” he said.

He gave the example of PPP MNA Azra Pechuho, who is also the sister of President Asif Ali Zardari. She survived a deadly attack at the time of the by-polls in Jamshoro during General Pervez Musharraf’s regime. Similarly, PPP MPA Sassui Palijo and other party leaders were beaten when former prime minister Shaukat Aziz was contesting the election from Tharparkar. “No action was taken against the people,” he said.

Waheeda Shah blames the media. “It seems that the media has the influence to make decisions in this country,” she remarked. “I will only say that the ground realities are totally different from what media has exaggerated,” she said to The Express Tribune over the phone on Saturday. “I will go to court to challenge the Election Commission’s decision, which is unfair and unilateral.”

She said that she accepted that it was her fault but that she had apologised for her “unintentional” mistake and the victims had forgiven her, but the media had not. “I do not know what kind of revenge the media is taking by overstating the reports,” she said.

The Election Commission has withheld the result of polling, declared her ineligible for two years, fined her and cancelled the result. “This is punishment for only one slap, which went on air, giving the impression that I was continuously torturing the election staff,” she said.

She said that she would be filing a petition soon and was consulting her legal team. She claims that she was misguided that there was some rigging going on at the polling station that day. “My fault was that I could not recognise the polling staff, who was sitting without badges,” she said.

The party choices may be:

Eijaz Shah Bukhari, the first cousin of Mohsin Shah

Syed Qasim Shah, the son of minister Naveed Qamar

Haji Amin Lakho, the party president in TM Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>A slap — and then some</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347803/a-slap-%e2%80%94-and-then-some</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347803/a-slap-%e2%80%94-and-then-some#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 12 18:33:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[tazeen.javed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=347803</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Our esteemed media turned a grave violation of law into a caricature, which has become the routine here.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[If you happen to live in Pakistan and have access to any kind of media, mainstream or otherwise, you would know the step by step details of Waheeda Shah slapping a polling officer, roughly two weeks ago. The commotion that followed the incident may be justified. But, if looked at closely, every episode in this murky saga — including the initial slap — truly reflects the society we live in.

A well heeled feudal woman slapped a government servant to show her might. She did it because she knew that she could get away with it. Had that slap not been recorded by the television cameras in all its violent glory, she definitely would have gotten away with it — something that happens in this country every day.

The media rightly reported the incident as an act of violence and desecration of the election process. But then, it went on to add dramatic music and some crafty edits to make it look like a case of repeated slaps. Our esteemed media turned a grave violation of law into a caricature, which has become the routine here.

Pakistani police also stayed true to its character in this sorry tale. Waheeda Shah slapped the poling officer right in front of a senior police official — a DSP — who did nothing to stop the aggression of a powerful and connected feudal.

Under duress, an FIR was registered against Waheeda Shah, but instead of booking her for assault on another human being — which carries harsher punishment — she was charged with ‘disorderly conduct at a polling station’, an offence punishable with just three months of imprisonment, a fine of Rs 1,000 or both.

When a PPP candidate is involved in shenanigans of the worst kind, how can Pakistani judicial activism be far behind? The Supreme Court of Pakistan also decided to jump into the fray and take suo motu notice against Ms Shah because, let’s admit it, her slap is the biggest issue threatening the core of the country. Incidents like genocide of the Hazara Community in Quetta or the brutal killings of Shias in Kohistan do not merit the same response. Just like the country it represents, the apex court has its priorities straight.

Some women rights activists on social media have criticised the Supreme Court’s decision to take suo motu action and said that the higher judiciary’s judicial activism is directed to women alone because they are easy prey, be it the credit card theft case of Shumaila Rana of the PML-N, the case of possession of alcohol by Atiqa Odho of the A-PML or PPP’s Waheeda Shah’s misconduct during elections.

After the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the election of PS 53 Tando Muhammed Khan, the PPP should have graciously accepted defeat and vowed to get their act together before the general elections. But as Pakistani’s, we never learn from our mistakes. Furthermore, the PPP officials also supported their candidate, with at least one PPP minister in Sindh refusing to buy the rumpus that followed the incident saying that Ms Shah had “only slapped the staff!”.

As if the whole brouhaha surrounding the incident was not enough, Raja Riaz of the PPP in Punjab decided to add his voice to the commotion. He first denied Ms Shah’s assault on the presiding officer and said that she was just “pressed”. He then defended her act of violence as the grief of a traumatised widow and then blamed the victim — in true Pakistani fashion — for rigging the elections. Waheeda Shah’s act of aggression is not unique, Pakistan has turned into an Orwellian nightmare, where even if might is not always right; it still wins in the end.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>No ‘external pressure’ to proceed against Waheeda Shah: ECP</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347705/no-%e2%80%98external-pressure%e2%80%99-to-proceed-against-waheeda-shah-ecp</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347705/no-%e2%80%98external-pressure%e2%80%99-to-proceed-against-waheeda-shah-ecp#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 12 12:34:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=347705</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dispels speculation that the Supreme Court had pressed the ECP into imposing the ban, cancelling by-poll results.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Election Commission of Pakistan has dispelled reports that the decision to bar Pakistan Peoples Party’s Waheeda Shah from contesting elections for two years was taken under external pressure.

On Wednesday, ECP had imposed the ban and cancelled the results of Tando Muhammad Khan by-polls during which Waheeda had slapped polling station staff. The incident, caught on camera, came into the notice of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the Supreme Court took suo motu notice of it.

“All actions were taken by the ECP on its own and without any external pressure,” said the official statement issued on Friday by the ECP, rejecting media speculation and remarks of a television newsanchor that the ECP had taken notice of the incident only due to pressure from the SC.

The statement reads that it is a matter of record that the ECP came into action the moment the incident came to its knowledge. “The incident attracted attention of three ECP members justices (retd) Riaz Kayani, Shahzad Akbar Khan and Fazalur Rehman. They immediately contacted the ECP secretary and asked him to direct the relevant district returning officer and returning officer, through the election commissioner of Sindh, to take immediate cognisance of the matter under Sections 86 and 86A of the Representation of the People Act 1976 and to send their reports regarding the incident,” the statement says.

The statement said that as February 26 was a Sunday, the three members met at the head office in Islamabad on February 27 and perused reports received by the provincial election commissioner, district returning officer and returning officer. They directed the returning officer to take immediate notice of the matter and the alleged violation of Sections 86 and 86A, hold an inquiry, hear versions of all parties and pass orders within seven days.

It goes on to state that official results of the by-election were also ordered to be withheld until the inquiry is complete in the stipulated seven days.

The same day, the chief election commissioner Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza and Justice (retd) Mohammad Roshan Essani were in Karachi and directed that an FIR be registered against Waheeda Shah.

The CJP, it says, took notice on February 29 on the application of Anita Turab, an officer of the District Management Group, and fixed the matter for hearing on March 2. Representatives of the ECP also appeared before the court and apprised it about action taken by the commission.

The statement also states that, on a complaint filed on February 27 by another contesting candidate Mushtaq Ali Talpur, notices were issued to parties to appear before the commission on March 6 in Islamabad.]]>
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			<title>The slap effect: Waheeda Shah’s supporters protest against disqualification</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347507/the-slap-effect-waheeda-shah%e2%80%99s-supporters-protest-against-disqualification</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347507/the-slap-effect-waheeda-shah%e2%80%99s-supporters-protest-against-disqualification#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 12 06:25:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=347507</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PPP workers accuse the election commission of being biased.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) faced a heap of reproach for its decision to disqualify Syeda Wahida Shah Bukhari whose supporters in Tando Muhammad Khan held a strike on Thursday.


The protestors, including the Pakistan Peoples Party’s local ladies wing, burnt effigies of the ECP officials who supported her disqualification.

Shah has been barred from contesting in the elections for two years while her recent victory in the by-polls of February 25 has also been struck off by the ECP. The verdict came less than two weeks after Shah was caught on camera assaulting the polling staff during the by-elections in PS-52 constituency of the Sindh Assembly in Tando Muhammad Khan. Later, Shah held a press conference along with the presiding officer who was slapped and offered an apology.

The decision by ECP, which initially appeared to be soft-pedaling on the issue, stirred up protests by the people of Shah’s hometown. “It is an injustice to over 31,000 people who voted for her in the elections,” declared the PPP’s district president, Haji Ameen Lakho.

Lakho complained of what he described as ‘selectivity’ on part of the ECP and the Supreme Court, saying they have not taken action against the incidents of violence which occurred in the other provinces during the by-elections. “We consider the ECP’s decision to be based on prejudice and find it an insult to the voters,” he said. The decision was opposed by the Sindh ECP member Justice (retd) Muhammad Roshan Essani and the chief election commissioner, Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza.

Lakho also blamed the media for fussing over the issue and conducting the usual ‘PPP trial’. He, however, did not say whether the party or Shah will challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court.

The ladies wing, led by its local leader Sakina Khaskheli, blocked the Hyderabad-Badin road for the second time since the announcement of the decision on Wednesday. “The ECP has victimised an elected woman representative on the eve of the International Women’s Day,” protested the supporters.

“She has been forgiven by the women who were slapped because of a misunderstanding. The Islamic laws allow forgiveness of even people charged with murder if they are forgiven by the affected family,” said Khaskheli. The supporters appealed to the Supreme Court to restore Shah as their elected representative.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Punishment well-deserved</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347283/punishment-well-deserved-3</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347283/punishment-well-deserved-3#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 08 Mar 12 19:57:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=347283</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[However, two of the five members of the ECP who were hearing her case voted to absolve Ms Shah.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The two-year disqualification handed out to the PPP’s Waheeda Shah by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is an entirely appropriate punishment for an unwarranted crime: slapping an ECP staff member at the polling station. Ms Shah’s actions threatened the integrity of the electoral process and by not allowing her to contest polls for two years, the ECP has ensured that she has to vacate her Sindh Assembly seat immediately. Consequently, she will not be allowed to run for office in the next general elections. The next step should be for the Director of the Sindh Police — who is seen standing silently behind Ms Shah in the video as she slaps the ECP official — to be removed from office.

Those who are trying to downplay the incident, saying that it pales in comparison to other crimes committed in the country on a daily basis, need to realise how essential free and fair elections are to the country’s future and that a strong message — that no one is above the law — needs to be sent to those who hold or vie for public office. Ms Shah’s punishment will hopefully serve as an example to all those who may consider throwing their weight around to ensure that the orders of local polling officials need to be heeded. So egregious was her offence that her party, the PPP, should consider taking further action and expelling her from the party. In fact, the party should have taken punitive action immediately to distance itself from this event and to reassure voters that it believes in free and fair elections while respecting the ECP’s independence.

But the news is not all good. Two of the five members of the ECP who were hearing her case voted to absolve Ms Shah, despite the fact that her actions were caught on video. One of the two was the chief election commissioner and it really boggles the mind that Ms Shah would be let off, given the video footage showing her quite clearly slapping a female staffer. The other member also seems to have cast his vote in a manner that observers would, perhaps, wonder about his political loyalties. While such things are normal for members of government bodies, this particular case seemed quite clear-cut.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Waheeda Shah didn’t slap, she pressed: Raja Riaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347248/waheeda-shah-didn%e2%80%99t-slap-she-pressed-raja-riaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347248/waheeda-shah-didn%e2%80%99t-slap-she-pressed-raja-riaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 08 Mar 12 11:53:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mohammed.rizwan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=347248</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz says Waheeda is a widow, media played video repeatedly which made it look like she slapped staffer several times.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Raja Riaz said on Thursday that Waheeda Shah Bukhari did not slap anyone, she just “pressed” the presiding officer with her hand.

Talking to media outside the Punjab Assembly, Riaz defended what the disqualified Pakistan Peoples Party’s MPA from Tando Muhammad Khan did on the polling day.

Riaz said that Bukhari is a widow and the disqualification was a second blow to her after her husband’s death.

“She just pressed the presiding officer as she (the presiding officer) was involved in rigging,” he said.

“It is media that created the whole issue, they manipulated the video and played it repeatedly which made it look like Waheeda slapped the staffer several times.”

Responding to Raja’s comments, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that no widow or orphan was allowed to slap the polling staff. “Being a widow does not give her a license to slap anyone. PPP has a history of not accepting the judicial verdicts and this time too they are making accusing rather than accepting the Election Commission’s verdict,” said Sanaullah.

Sanaullah said that the punishment was justified and the Riaz’s statement is another “foolish one” from the opposition leader.

He further said that the verdict is an example for those who try to oppress the masses on the pretext of democracy.]]>
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			<title>Disqualified: Slap costs Waheeda Shah seat, next elections</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/346729/ecp-declares-waheeda-shah-ineligible-to-contest-elections-for-2-years</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/346729/ecp-declares-waheeda-shah-ineligible-to-contest-elections-for-2-years#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 12 13:00:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qamar.zaman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=346729</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Election Commission nullifies by-poll results, imposes 2-year ban on the PPP candidate.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[An apology and 25,000 thumb impressions could not save Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Waheeda Shah, who on Wednesday was disqualified by election authorities for slapping polling officials during last month’s by-polls.

Her party, however, appeared unconvinced, and expressed concern over the decision.

In its verdict announced on Wednesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) imposed a two-year ban on Shah from taking part in elections and nullified the result of a by-poll that took place for a Sindh provincial assembly seat PS-53.

The incident, recorded on camera, took place at a polling station in Tando Mohammad Khan.

The ECP also asked the inspector-general police Sindh to take action against DSP Irfan Shah who was present with the candidate when the incident took place.

Three jury members voted in favour of the verdict, while two opposed it, said Mohammad Afzal Khan, spokesperson for the election commissioner after the announcement of the verdict.

Three commission members from Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan voted in favour while the member from Sindh and the chief election commissioner, Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza voted against it.

Shah has the right to appeal and the order can be challenged in the Supreme Court, an ECP official said.

Support from the party

Support poured in from the party’s provincial leadership and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that PPP voters have expressed concern over the election commission’s decision.

“We have not yet decided what to do about it, but will consult with constitutional expert if the decision can be challenged in the apex court,” he said at a reception in Karachi.

Shah said the government and the party respects institutions, but two different punishments could not be awarded for a single “offence”.

“We will not take a step which challenges the authority of the election [commission],” he said.

The chief minister was seconded by Sindh Minister for Local Bodies Agha Siraj Durrani who said that Shah had “only slapped the staff.”

Even though [Shah’s] actions are wrong, the law should also apply to all other offenders who had used violence in polling stations during elections, Durrani said.

The party leadership in Islamabad, however, was less sympathetic.

“It was a legal issue and the ECP has already awarded punishment to Mrs. Shah,” said PPP information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira while talking to The Express Tribune.

“The incident is embarrassing for the party and we do not support this attitude,” he added.

Would the party take disciplinary action against her? “Shah was not an office bearer of the party and has already been punished … that [punishment] is enough,” Kaira said.

Shah was contesting for a seat that fell vacant after the death of her husband, Syed Mohsin Shah Bukhari. She was declared the winner in the initial vote-count, with 24,980 votes according to unofficial results, but the ECP withheld the results following the slapping incident.

The Supreme Court took a suo motu notice of the assault on polling staff on February 29. The court refused to accept Shah’s apology and directed the ECP and provincial police chief Sindh to submit their report on next date of hearing - March 12.

Meanwhile, dozens of female PPP supporters in Hyderabad protested against the verdict and staged a sit-in at the Hyderabad-Badin Road, blocking it for two hours. Some voters also held a press conference at the Hyderabad press club in Shah’s favour.

The PPP, on its part, has called for a strike in Shah’s constituency, Tando Muhammad Khan today (Thursday).

(With additional reporting by Hafeez Tunio in Karachi)

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2012.

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[poll id="681"]]]>
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			<title>ECP reserves verdict in Waheeda Shah case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/346206/ecp-reserves-verdict-in-waheeda-shah-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/346206/ecp-reserves-verdict-in-waheeda-shah-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 12 09:31:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=346206</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Waheeda Shah did not appear before the commission today, verdict to be announced tomorrow afternoon.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday reserved its verdict in the case against Waheeda Shah Bukhari. The verdict will be announced on Wednesday.

Waheeda Shah did not appear before the commission today. Her lawyer informed them that she had apologised to those she had assaulted and in front of the Supreme Court, and now she was seeking a pardon from the commission.

She submitted an unconditional apology to the ECP, officials told The Express Tribune. Returning Officer for PS-53 Ali Asghar Sial submitted his report on the slapping incident, and was directed by the commission chief to take immediate cognizance of the matter under Section 86-A of the Representation of People Act, 1976 and hear the necessary parties and pass the orders.

An inquiry had been conducted at the office of the Chief Provincial Election Commissioner (PEC) in Karachi within a week. “The slapping incident shocked the whole nation,” observed members of the ECP. “We condemn the unruly behaviour of a person aspiring to represent the people in Parliament.”

The ECP also stated that FIR No 33/2012 under section 86 (3) (b) of the Representation of People Act, 1976 had been registered against Waheeda Shah at the Tando Muhammad Khan police station.

The commission will take all possible steps to provide protection to the polling staff and take exemplary action under the law against anyone who indulges in any illegal activities to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere at polling stations, added the ECP.

Besides facing an inquiry for assaulting polling staff, Waheeda Shah had also been summoned by the commission in an alleged case of rigging during the by-polls in PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza took up multiple complaints filed with the commission regarding the alleged rigging at around 11 polling stations in the said constituency, ECP officials told The Express Tribune.

One of the complainants was Shah’s opponent Mushtaq Ali Talpur who alleged that she had been involved in the casting of forged votes. Talpur also presented evidence against Waheeda Shah to the commission today.

The complainants informed the ECP about rigging at Polling Station 16 at Govt Girls High School Tando Muhammad Khan, where polling agents were kicked out from the booth and fake votes were cast on polling day.

They also pointed out that rigging had taken place at Polling Station 56, Polling Station 76 and Polling Station 33.

“She could be disqualified under the rules of discipline if found guilty,” the officials said. The outcome will depend on the ECP’s decision as well as findings of the inquiry report.

Supporters of the winning candidate forced polling staff to quit stations, they alleged.

Thousand of fake votes had been cast at various polling stations in the said constituency, the complaints claimed.

Waheeda Shah was declared the winner in the initial vote-count of the provincial seat by-poll (PS 53), but following the infamous slapping incident caught on video, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) withheld official results.

She was caught on camera slapping two women at polling station No. 16 at the Government Girls High School.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has also taken suo motu notice of the slapping incident. In a recent hearing, the court rejected Waheeda Shah’s apology and termed the incident more serious than last year’s killing of a youth, Sarfaraz Shah, by paramilitary troops.]]>
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			<title>ECP summons Waheeda over rigging allegations</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/345769/ecp-summons-waheeda-shah-over-rigging-allegations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/345769/ecp-summons-waheeda-shah-over-rigging-allegations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 05 Mar 12 14:45:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=345769</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[After a trial for assaulting a polling officer, she is to answer to complaints of forged votes.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[If the accusations of slapping a polling officer weren’t enough, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) hopeful for MPA seat Waheeda Shah is now facing allegations of rigging.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned Shah on Tuesday (today) in the alleged case of rigging during the by-polls in PS-53 Tando Muhammad Khan.

ECP chief Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza will take up multiple complaints filed with the commission in connection with rigging at 11 polling stations in the said constituency, ECP officials told The Express Tribune. “She could be disqualified under the rules of discipline if found guilty,” the officials said. The provincial chief of the commission, presiding officers of these polling stations and other board members will attend the hearings.

One of the complainants was Shah’s opponent Mushtaq Ali Talpur who alleged that Shah had been involved in the casting of forged votes, after which the chief election commissioner (CEC) issued notices to all the parties to appear before the commission Tuesday.

Shah won a majority in the initial count. On February 27, however, the ECP withheld the official results, taking serious notice of the infamous slapping incident. CEC Mirza also ordered that an FIR be registered against her.

The complainants informed the ECP of rigging at polling station 16, where polling agents were kicked out from the booth to allow for fake votes to be cast. They also pointed out rigging in polling station 56, polling station 76, and polling station 33. Not only did Shah’s supporters force the election officials out of the poll stations, the complainants alleged, but Shah herself backed the coercive tactics.

Meanwhile, Returning Officer for PS-53 Ali Asghar Sial has also submitted his report on Shah’s assault of an election officer. The ECP chief had directed Sial to take immediate cognizance of the matter.

On Monday, the summary trial started by the election commission against Shah in the assault case completed its proceedings.

Sial recorded the statement of the PPP-MPA-elect. According to the statement, Shah said that it was not her intention to either harass or torture the polling staff. She said that the incident occurred when certain polling agents ‘misguided’ her about rigging (from her opponents’ side) in the polling station.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM HAFEEZ TUNIO IN KARACHI)

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Slapping incident: Assaulted polling staff pardons Waheeda Shah</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344913/after-sc-rejection-of-apology-presiding-officer-forgives-waheeda-shah</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344913/after-sc-rejection-of-apology-presiding-officer-forgives-waheeda-shah#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 04 Mar 12 04:35:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=344913</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Experts say PPP candidate faces disqualification despite pardon.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While the Supreme Court has refused to accept Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Syeda Waheeda Shah’s apology for her aggressive behaviour against an assistant presiding officer during the recent by-polls, the aggrieved party in the incident gave the public office aspirant a glimmer of hope by pardoning her on Saturday.

Presiding officer Habiba Memon and her assistant Shagufta Memon, in their statements given at the office of the provincial election commissioner, Karachi said:  “We are not giving the statement under pressure. But Waheeda Shah, along with her family members, visited us and apologised for the incident, saying that she was misguided by some polling agents.”

The statements were recorded during the trial of a case initiated on the directives of the chief election commissioner. The returning officer of PS-53 (Tando Muhammad Khan) Ali Asghar Sial recorded the eyewitness accounts of around eight people, including candidates who contested the election, police officials and others present during the by-polls. Waheeda was not present during the trial; however, her lawyer assured the returning officer that she would appear at the next hearing scheduled on Monday.

Shagufta Memon, who was caught on live television being slapped by Waheeda, avoided the press after the trial hearing. On the other hand, presiding officer Habiba Memon told the media that polling was smoothly under way when Waheeda arrived with other party workers and moments later began assaulting the assistant presiding officer saying, “Massive rigging is under way at the polling station and you people are involved in it.”

According to Habiba, the PPP candidate also assaulted her when she denied allegations of rigging, adding that Waheeda had not investigated the matter before taking such drastic action.   “We called the police and the matter was resolved after Waheeda came to us and apologised,” Habiba said.

Meanwhile, Amir Zardari, an independent candidate running in the Tando Muhammad Khan constituency, also levelled serious allegations against Waheeda.

“All PPP workers, including Federal Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar, were personally casting bogus votes,” Zardari said, adding that police and other district machinery had been used to ensure a win for the ruling party candidate.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Provincial Election Commissioner Sono Khan Baloch said the polling staff had every right to pardon Waheeda but the Election Commission had to complete its investigation, regardless of such developments.

Baloch went on to add that Waheeda might face the consequences for creating chaos and disturbing the polling staff because the election was suspended for some time and staff was harassed. He declined further comments, saying that the matter was sub judice.

Earlier, the Supreme Court postponed further hearing for March 12 to enable the ECP, the inspector general and others to submit report.

However, legal and constitutional experts believe Waheeda Shah, who unofficially stood victorious in the by-election for Sindh Assembly’s seat PS-53, could face disqualification despite being pardoned.

Constitutional law expert Abid Hasan Minto believes Waheeda’s offence is of a public nature and non-compoundable. Since she assaulted Habiba Memon, while she was on official duty as a public functionary, a settlement between the parties to the dispute would not be sufficient to close the matter.

Justice (Retd) Tariq Mehmood seemed certain that Waheeda would have to face legal action for disturbing polling and creating chaos among voters as the charges had already been proved beyond reasonable doubt. Hamid Khan, another constitutional expert, is convinced that the pardon by the aggrieved party was obtained under coercion, pointing towards Waheeda’s influential family.

Advocate Misbah Shaheen believes that it is now completely in the hands of the court to decide Waheeda’s fate. Since the incident had shown her to be unsuitable for holding a public office, there is a chance of her being disqualified from the provincial seat.

(With additional reporting by Azam Khan in Islamabad)

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The swagger of Waheeda Bukhari</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344998/the-swagger-of-waheeda-bukhari</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344998/the-swagger-of-waheeda-bukhari#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Mar 12 20:05:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=344998</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The suo motu notice has highlighted a societal malaise that haunts Pakistan: the powerful will get away with anything.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[What happened at the Tando Muhammad Khan polling station in Sindh on February 25, has angered the nation, compelling the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice and call the guilty PPP candidate, Waheeda Shah Bukhari, to explain why she did what she did. Bukhari slapped a polling officer and also landed a blow on the face of an opponent as the TV cameras took in the entire sorry episode. Those who saw her shenanigans on TV must have hated her swaggering attitude towards the entire process of elections and the humiliating manner in which she treated those present at the polling station.

The effect was stunning. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was understandably stung by the incident into issuing her the notice. There is so much going on in the country that he is helpless to take action simply because of the scale and complication of our law and order situation; this time he simply had to act, not only to make the people realise that this kind of action cannot go unpunished but also to shake-up the relevant institution that should have taken prompt action after the entire country had seen an elitist politician inflict injury on a schoolteacher. Of course, the relevant institution was the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which nobody expected to do the needful given its past reputation for being lax in its supervision of elections.

Waheeda Shah Bukhari was winning in the initial vote count and had no need to throw her weight around, accompanied by a police security officer who simply added to her feudal panache. After seeing the outrage on TV, the ECP sealed the results of the PS 53 election. Its officers explained that the polling officer whom the PPP candidate slapped, had a first class magistrate’s powers and could have heard the case of assault right at the polling centre and sent Bukhari to prison. This, of course, is easier said than done. In fact, the law can be called a ‘bad law’ on the basis of a lack of realism and total absence of an enabling environment. Bukhari was in fact more ‘empowered’ because of her police guard than the unfortunate schoolteacher she beat up.

The three-member Supreme Court bench that finally examined Bukhari, was clear about what she had coming: under penal code sections 353 and 189, she could face a two-year prison term and a hefty fine. She tried to disarm the court by appearing under veil and without a lawyer, throwing herself at the mercy of the Court. The only thing she had going for her was that she had carefully orchestrated an on-camera apology to the hurt schoolteacher, shown by some TV channels with the caveat that the ‘forgiving’ victim was too hidden behind her veil to be recognised. The court understandably rejected her apology and went into the details of the case to probe why the incident took place. The inspector general (IG) of the Sindh police was hauled up and asked why he should not be dismissed because his department had failed to protect the polling staff.

The suo motu notice has served to highlight a societal malaise that haunts Pakistan: the powerful will get away with anything. And that includes non-state actors, once produced by the state committing acts of terrorism without getting convicted at the court of law. Who is going to ensure that the assaulted schoolteacher will fight the case to get Bukhari punished under the law? How will Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry respond to the remark made by the IG Police about his policemen getting thrashed by a gang led by the son of the Chief Minister of Balochistan in Karachi? It is correct to make an example out of Bukhari, but it is also important to inquire into why the killer of the Shia community, Akram Lahori, is about to go scot-free because his powerful terrorist group in South Punjab had made the witnesses run away. Another case pertains to Major (retd) Haroon Ashiq, facing trial for the murder of a senior army officer in Islamabad at the behest of al Qaeda.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Slapping incident: SC rejects Waheeda Bukhari’s apology</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344821/slapping-incident-sc-rejects-waheeda-bukhari%e2%80%99s-apology</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344821/slapping-incident-sc-rejects-waheeda-bukhari%e2%80%99s-apology#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Mar 12 00:06:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=344821</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Directs Election Commission, police to submit report by March 12.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Friday rejected an apology from Pakistan Peoples Party’s Waheeda Shah Bukhari for assaulting a polling staff member during Saturday’s by-election in Tando Mohammad Khan, cautioning her that she would have to face the music for her “shameful” act.


Bukhari was declared the winner in the initial vote-count of the provincial seat by-poll (PS 53) but the Election Commission held back the final results when television cameras caught her slapping one polling station worker and tongue-lashing another.

On Friday, a three-member bench hearing a suo motu notice on the ugly confrontation condemned Bukhari’s action, calling it more serious than last year’s killing of a youth, Sarfaraz Shah, by paramilitary troops.

Under the law, as interpreted by Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq under penal code sections 353 and 189, Bukhari could face a two-year prison term and a hefty fine.

Oddly enough, Bukhari appeared before the court without a lawyer. When inquired by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry about the absence of her counsel, she said: “You (chief justice) are my lawyer and you are my judge.” She quickly added that she was expecting justice from him.

“While we are equally respectful of you, the incident sent out a negative message that if an influential person takes the law into his/her hands, no one can dare take action,” the chief justice said.

“Your case will be dealt in accordance with law and we are also bound to follow the constitution,” Justice Chaudhry  told Bukhari.

Both the Election Commission and the police were reprimanded for failing to take timely action.

“If such an incident can take place in the by-polls, what will happen in the general elections,” the chief justice asked.

While drawing parallels with the extrajudicial killing of Sarfaraz Shah, the chief justice observed that Inspector General of Police Sindh Mushtaq Shah should be sacked from his post over the episode.

The province’s top police officer, however, defended himself saying that there was no comparison between the killing of Sarfaraz Shah and this incident.

The chief justice responded, “This incident is even more serious than the extrajudicial killing, because it has brought shame to the country.”

“It was a slap on the face of the state, not on an individual,” Justice Khilji Arif Hussian said.

The IG, in response, said: “Hamesha ki tarah hamain kal be jootay paray, hain jee” (Like always, we are the ones who get slapped around).

However, the chief justice reminded him that such incidents take place because law enforcing institutions do not perform their duties.

The chief justice directed IG Sindh and EC Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed to take action according to the law and submit a report before the court on the next hearing on March 12.

“Shagufta Memon (the assaulted officer) is a school teacher and she could not fight with mighty people. It was the duty of ECP and the police to become witness in this case,” the chief justice maintained.

Justice (retd) Tariq Mahmood told The Express Tribune that it was possible that the school teacher [Memon] would not appear before the magistrate to record her statement due to political pressure; prompting the court to ask the EC to become a witness in the case.

Justice Mahmood was of the view that such incidents are common in elections, particularly in Karachi, and there was a need to ensure free media access at every polling station.

The court also found that the FIR lodged against Bukhari was not “proper”. “The Inspector General of Police Sindh failed to ensure registration of the case promptly,” the court observed in its written order. Later the IG Sindh informed the court that the two sections cited by the attorney general would be inserted into the FIR.


(Read: Democracy without decorum)

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Waheeda Shah suo motu: ‘Assault more serious than Sarfaraz Shah killing’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344400/assaulting-mpa-wahida-shah-arrives-at-sc-for-suo-motu-hearing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/344400/assaulting-mpa-wahida-shah-arrives-at-sc-for-suo-motu-hearing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 12 05:33:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=344400</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bukhari prayed that she came to the court to 'apologise'.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[While drawing parallels between the extrajudicial killing of Sarfaraz Shah and Waheeda Shah Bukhari’s assault on polling staff, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday said that the Election Commission of Pakistan and police have failed to take a timely decision on the incident.

Heading a three-member bench for the suo motu hearing of the incident, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the Inspector General of Police Sindh should resign from his post over the episode.

The IG Sindh defended himself before the court and said that there was no comparison between the killing of Sarfaraz Shah and this incident. Chief Justice Chaudhry replied saying, “This incident is even more serious than the extrajudicial killing, because it has brought shame to the country.”

“Due to the negligence of law enforcing institutions, such incidents take place. The officials go really far, to an extent that they take the law into their hands.”

Bukhari prayed that she  come to the court to “apologise”. When the chief justice inquired about Bukhari’s counsel, she said, “You [chief justice] are my lawyer and you [chief justice] are my judge.”

Chief justice directed the IG Sindh to take action against the incident according to the law and submit a report before the court at the next hearing on March 12.

“If such an incident could take place in the by-polls, what would happen in the general elections.”

Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq informed the court that the FIR lodged against Bukhari was not “proper”. He said that according to Section 353 and Section 189 of the Pakistan Penal Code should have been imposed, given the violation done by the MPA.

AG Haq informed the court that according to these sections, Bukhari would have to undergo a two-year-long imprisonment and pay a heavy fine.

IG Sindh informed the court that these two sections will be added in the FIR. The chief justice said that it should have been done without the court having pointed it out.

The court also observed that police “did not even bring the case file in the hearing.”

The court observed that the ECP should have not only been a witness, but also a complainant in the case.

Earlier the court was moved by an application filed by District Management Group (DMG) officer Anita Turab.

Turab had stated in her application that “most civil servants wish to work in an environment where their self-respect and dignity is not made vulnerable by all and sundry. A number of us feel committed to stand by a self-imposed code called ‘the Moral Revival’, which is the flagship commitment to restore the lost dignity of civil servants (and) to reclaim the classic independence of the institution through internal and external reforms.”

Bukhari was declared the winner in the initial vote-count of the provincial seat by-poll (PS 53), but following Saturday’s now infamous slapping incident caught on video, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) withheld official results.]]>
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			<title>Suo motu notice: Violent by-poll contender comes under SC scrutiny</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343745/suo-motu-notice-violent-by-poll-contender-comes-under-sc-scrutiny</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343745/suo-motu-notice-violent-by-poll-contender-comes-under-sc-scrutiny#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 12 05:05:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=343745</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petition filed by official against Waheeda Shah Bukhari; SC summons her on March 2.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A fit of rage prevented by-polls contender Waheeda Shah Bukhari from winning a seat in spite of the largest number of votes, and now, it may earn her a slap on the wrist from the Supreme Court (SC) itself.

After slapping a polling staff officer and another elderly woman at a voting station in Tando Muhammad Khan, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took suo motu notice of Bukhari’s behaviour on the application of a District Management Group (DMG) Officer, Anita Ayoub.

Bukhari was declared the winner in the initial vote-count of the provincial seat by-poll (PS 53), but following Saturday’s now infamous slapping incident caught on video, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) withheld official results.

Bukhari, along with the Sindh Police Inspector-General and Chief Election Commissioner Jusice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, have been told to appear before the court on March 2.  However, the victims of the assault have not been summoned.

Ayoub stated in her application that “most civil servants wish to work in an environment where their self-respect and dignity is not made vulnerable by all and sundry. A number of us feel committed to stand by a self-imposed code called ‘the Moral Revival’, which is the flagship commitment to restore the lost dignity of civil servants (and) to reclaim the classic independence of the institution through internal and external reforms.”

SC unhappy with ECP inaction

The three-member bench of the SC headed by the CJP brought up the issue while hearing a case regarding the voter list process of the election commission. The CJP regretted what he referred to as the government’s inaction on the issue. Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Maulvi Anwarul Haq, who was present, was reprimanded sternly by the chief justice, who said the assault had damaged Pakistan’s image in the world’s eyes.

“What kind of respect do you give us, was the plea of Anita Ayoub, the complainant and a DMG officer,” the chief justice said. “I accepted her plea and issued notices, while sitting in this courtroom,” Justice Chaudhry added.

The CJ told the AGP to get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible, saying, “You should conduct a summary trial and end the matter”. Haq submitted before the court that the government was looking into the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The BackBencher: Will the PPP allow its members to back the slap victim?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343609/the-backbencher-will-the-ppp-allow-its-members-to-back-the-slap-victim</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343609/the-backbencher-will-the-ppp-allow-its-members-to-back-the-slap-victim#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 12 01:53:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=343609</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rashdi and the other MPAs weren’t allowed to discuss Waheeda Shah’s now-infamous slap.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Before the Sindh Assembly gets on to “business”, a euphemism for passing the buck, there are prayers for the departed – usually party workers or victims of a terrorist attack or major road accident. “Can we pray for the health of the woman who Waheeda Shah slapped and whose head was split open?” asked MPA Marvi Rashdi, a little too innocently. “Her head wasn’t split open, she was saved!” came the reply from someone, who couldn’t be identified among the smirking MPAs.


Rashdi and the other MPAs weren’t allowed to discuss Waheeda Shah’s now-infamous slap, worthy enough of the attention of Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to have taken notice. Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza said it was wrong but that they were not aware of the background to the slap.

But the PPP, as the assembly was told repeatedly yesterday, is a champion of women’s empowerment. Information Minister Shazia Marri said that women who had been subjected to torture and abuse should stand up for their rights, “and we will be right behind them”. Will the PPP allow any of its members to stand behind the woman who was attacked by Waheeda Shah, who was contesting the by-election on a PPP ticket? Surely someone should dig a fake grave in the assembly grounds and mourn the death of irony.

Many an expert on women and religion was born on the benches today, birthed by a resolution that MPA Pitanbar Sewani attempted to move on the subject of forced conversions and marriages of girls from minority religions. “You don’t like the Baloch, and soon you won’t like Hindus,” Sewani said, in an impassioned speech inspired by the recent case of a Hindu woman being allegedly forced to convert in Mirpur Mathelo. A district judge has ruled that she converted of her own will.

MPA Sachal Shah threw his hat in with Sewani but made the rather grave mistake of mentioning that Muslim women in India have married Hindus. Several MPAs, bristling with anger, offered their expert advice on why this was, firstly, untrue [Sachal later refuted that by pointing out an interfaith celebrity marriage in India] and secondly, how rare it was for women to be “forced” into a Muslim marriage.

Rashdi believed that “any Muslim woman who has married a Hindu must have disowned her faith first” and “no Muslim girl would do such a thing just to get married”. Others spoke highly of women who converted and were “accepted” by Muslim families. Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq thought he would read Article 36 of the constitution to tell the minority MPAs that their communities’ rights were protected. The article reads: “The State shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of minorities, including their due representation in the Federal and Provincial services.”
The original point went by the wayside, that Sewani and fellow minorities MPA Saleem Khursheed Khokhar were actually discussing forced conversions. But let a good point never come in the way of irrelevant debate. Amen.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The slap: I am ashamed to be an MPA, says PML-F woman</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343613/the-slap-i-am-ashamed-to-be-an-mpa-says-pml-f-woman</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343613/the-slap-i-am-ashamed-to-be-an-mpa-says-pml-f-woman#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 12 22:14:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=343613</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Deputy Speaker tells Rashdi that the case has gone to court and an inquiry has been initiated.]]>
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				<![CDATA[I should have come with a helmet on to this assembly session, remarked MPA Marvi Rashdi. “I am ashamed to call myself an MPA.”

Her stinging words came in response to a slap that a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member Waheeda Shah Bukhari administered to a polling agent during the by-election in Tando Mohammad Khan a day earlier. Bukhari was elected an MPA but there has been an outcry over her outbreak of violence.

The slap was caught on television and broadcast across the country.

Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza interrupted Rashdi to say that the case has gone to court and an inquiry has been initiated. “You cannot further comment on the issue,” Raza said while signalling to the assembly’s staff to switch off Rashdi’s microphone. A few PPP MPAs stood up to defend their party’s MPA, but they did not get permission to speak. Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPA Faisal Subzwari said that this kind of thing should be stopped.

Tribute to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

The house unanimously adopted a resolution paying tribute to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for winning an Oscar award for her documentary “Saving Face”. In their resolution they said that the documentary has not only created awareness about this heinous menace, but has won Pakistan its first Oscar Award.

They said that the prime minister has announced the highest civil award for her, but they emphasised that the Sindh government should give her a reception upon her return to Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>SC takes suo motu notice of Waheeda Shah slapping incident</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343410/sc-takes-suo-motu-notice-of-waheeda-shah-slapping-incident</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/343410/sc-takes-suo-motu-notice-of-waheeda-shah-slapping-incident#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 12 08:58:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=343410</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Court summons Waheeda, Sindh IGP and the chief election commissioner.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court has taken suo motu notice of assault on polling staff by a candidate for the Tando Muhammad Khan by-polls Waheeda Shah Bukhari.

The court was moved by an application filed by District Management Group (DMG) officer Anita Ayoub.

Bukhari was declared the winner in the initial vote-count of the Tando Muhammad Khan provincial seat by-poll (PS 53), but following the slapping incident of Saturday, the Election Commission of Pakistan withheld official results.

Ayoub, stated in her application that “Most civil servants wish to work in an environment where their self respect and dignity is not made vulnerable by all and sundry. A number of us feel committed to stand by a self-imposed code called ‘the Moral Revival’ being the flagship commitment to restore the lost dignity of the civil servants, to reclaim the classic independence of the institution through internal and external reforms.”

Taking notice on Wednesday, the SC summoned Bukhari on March 2, and the inspector-general of Sindh police and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza have also been told to appear before the court. However, staff members who were assaulted have not yet been summoned.

Earlier Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry regretted the government's inaction in the matter and told Attorney General (AG) Maulvi Anwarul Haq that that SC had taken notice of the incident since it had damaged the image of the country.

“What kind of respect do you give us, was Anita Ayoub’s plea, the complainant and a DMG officer,” chief justice said. “I accepted her plea and issued notices," Justice Chaudhry said.

“You should conduct a summary trial and end the matter,” he directed the AG.

Haq submitted before the court that action was being taken regarding the incident.

Bukhari was caught on camera slapping two women at polling station No. 16 at the Government Girls High School.]]>
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			<title>Assaulting polling staff: PS-53 election result withheld, case lodged against winning candidate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342796/assaulting-polling-staff-ps-53-election-result-withheld-case-lodged-against-winning-candidate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342796/assaulting-polling-staff-ps-53-election-result-withheld-case-lodged-against-winning-candidate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 12 05:00:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[z.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342796</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ECP orders FIR – but victims of assault refuse to become complainants.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday withheld official results of the Tando Muhammad Khan provincial seat by-poll (PS 53), taking serious note of Saturday’s assault on polling staff by candidate Waheeda Shah Bukhari.


Bukhari was declared the winner in the initial vote-count – but the situation now is far from a celebratory one for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate.

In addition to withholding the poll result, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza ordered that an FIR be registered against Bukhari, who was caught on camera slapping two women at polling station No. 16 at the Government Girls High School. “It was agreed without demur by the members of the ECP that the official result of the said constituency may be withheld till the completion of the inquiry,” said the official statement.

“The slapping incident shocked the whole nation,” observed members of the ECP. “We condemn the unruly behaviour of a person aspiring to represent the people of Pakistan.”

The CEC also directed the Provincial Election Commissioner Sindh to take necessary action. The ECP also stated that an FIR, No. 33/2012, had been registered against the accused at the local police station under section 86 (3) (b) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1976. She has been charged with ‘disorderly conduct at polling station’, an offence punishable with three months imprisonment, Rs1,000 fine or both. It also warned that no one would be allowed to threaten or use force against the polling staff whose services were hired by the commission. It also expressed concern and disappointment over the failure of police personnel present to take action. Ali Asghar Siyal, the Returning Officer of the by-elections in the constituency, lodged the FIR.

“Today in the morning I received directives from the election commission to file a case against Bukhari,” Siyal told the media. “When I reached the polling station, there was a crowd of people gathered there. Shagufta Memon, the assistant presiding officer who was slapped, was weeping,” he stated.  He was briefed by Habeeban Memon, another victim of the incident. After resuming the polling he went to his office and “saw footages of it on Geo television channel”, he reported.

However, “no other charge could be inserted because the two women did not want to give a statement,” Sono Khan Baloch, the provincial election commissioner, told The Express Tribune.

Even Siyal could not obtain their statements. “I asked Assistant Commissioner Ghulam Qadir Junejo to submit the written statements of Waheeda Shah and the polling staff, but to no avail,” he said.

A few reporters who managed to contact Habeeban Memon were told that she had forgiven Bukhari. She attempted to play down the situation on Sunday while appearing at a press conference along with a veiled-girl, introduced as Shagufta Memon. The request to remove the veil for identification was rejected. “Please stop hounding us,” Memon directed the media.

The briefing was later labelled a farce by Mir Mushtaq Talpur, the top contender against Waheeda in the by-elections. “I don’t believe it was her. Their families have been intimidated with consequences if they speak,” he alleged at a press conference where he appealed to the chief justice to declare the elections null and void.

Bukhari could not be accessed for her comments on Monday. “I was angered by the complaints about rigging,” she explained right after the incident occurred on Saturday. “The matter has been resolved,” she concluded.

Disqualification

Meanwhile, confusion prevailed whether Bukhari would be disqualified for her actions.

“The court will decide on the matter,” said Sono Khan Baloch. “The process has begun.” The election commission has not yet issued a notification of the results.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Democracy without decorum</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342458/democracy-without-decorum</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342458/democracy-without-decorum#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 19:03:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342458</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ms Bukhari should be disqualified for slapping a polling officer as she visited a polling station in her constituency.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The image of the PPP candidate for PS-53 in Tando Mohammad Khan soundly slapping a polling officer as she visited a polling station in her constituency, shook everyone who saw the pictures captured on film. Many recoiled with the Assistant Presiding Officer Shagufta Memon, as PPP candidate Waheeda Shah Bukhari’s hand hit her full across the face. The follow-up has not been very convincing either. At a press conference held at the home of Ms Bukhari — who won her seat to the Sindh Assembly through the by-poll — Ms Memon has stated the whole incident was the result of a “misunderstanding” and that the angry candidate had taken her for an agent of her rival, Mir Mushtaque Ali Talpur.

This is absurd because if one goes by the footage that has been aired, it seems as if the slap was more or less unprovoked. Furthermore, even it was a ‘misunderstanding’, as has been now claimed, it does not even remotely qualify as appropriate behaviour, especially of a candidate for a provincial parliament. People who contest elections to become public representatives — and as such models for their communities — should not be using violence at polling stations, or their clout to physically assault polling officers. In this case, of course, the ‘beating’ was quite literal in nature. One doesn’t really need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the polling official who was slapped is being made to come out with this ridiculous ‘misunderstanding’ ruse. In any case, the candidate, who apparently won the election, has not bothered to explain why she chose to slap anyone at all. In this age of television and with a media that seems to have a hawk eye on such things, it is next to impossible to distort facts.

The new, permanent Election Commission of Pakistan has said it is looking into the incident. The case for it is clear. Ms Bukhari should be disqualified since quite clearly the grounds for doing so are for everyone to see. This will send a signal to all candidates for public office that they cannot get away with such shameful acts.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Assaulting MPA: Returning officer files case against Syeda Wahida Bukhari</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342446/assaulting-mpa-returning-officer-files-case-against-syeda-wahida-bukhari</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342446/assaulting-mpa-returning-officer-files-case-against-syeda-wahida-bukhari#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 12:00:39 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Returning officer cancels results of PS-53, says results to remain suspended until Bukhari’s case is investigated.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After filing a case against MPA Syeda Wahida Shah Bukhari for assaulting a presiding officer, Returning Officer Ali Akbar Siyal on Monday suspended by-polls results of the PS-53 constituency in Tando Muhammad Khan, Express News reported.

Siyal said that results will remain suspended until Bukhari’s case is investigated.

Appearing at a press conference on Sunday with the assistant presiding officer whom she had slapped at a polling station on Saturday, Bukhari said the misunderstanding has been removed and said that she became enraged because of the “rigging complaints”.

A television channel had caught Bukhari on camera smacking the young Shagufta Memon, after which she slapped another elderly woman, Habeeban Memon, driving her to tears.

Bukhari also had met the families of both her victims at their homes and had sorted out the matter.

According to unofficial results, Bukhari had bagged 24,980 in the polls.]]>
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			<title>PS-53 by-elections: Widow and cousin vie for PPP party ticket</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/329536/ps-53-by-elections-widow-and-cousin-vie-for-ppp-party-ticket</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/329536/ps-53-by-elections-widow-and-cousin-vie-for-ppp-party-ticket#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 12 22:58:10 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[z.ali]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=329536</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Party’s ladies wing wants wife of late MPA to succeed him.]]>
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				<![CDATA[As the by-elections approach on the Sindh Assembly seat in Tando Muhammad Khan, which fell vacant after the death of Syed Mohsin Shah Bukhari on January 13, a dispute has emerged between his widow and a cousin on who will stand. 

The local chapter of the ladies wing of the Pakistan Peoples Party conveyed the wish of Syeda Waheeda Mohsin Shah Bukhari, who is in the traditional iddat (or post-funeral waiting period), to contest the February 25 by-elections from the PS-53 constituency.

A few dozen workers of the ladies wing staged a demonstration on Monday outside the Tando Muhammad Khan Press Club. They demanded the party let the widow of the late MPA succeed him, citing the couples’ services for the party and the people. “The late Bukhari remained associated with the party in all the long years of its struggle. He was a courageous leader, always ready to help out the people,” said Sakeena Khaskheli, the women wing’s district president.

She was also full of praise for his wife and wanted to her to lead them in place of her husband. “This will also boost the morale of women workers of the party,” she said.

However, the other aspirant and a cousin of the late MPA, Syed Aijaz Shah Bukhari, who is also the party’s district vice president, claims that he is best suited to take the place. He says he used to look after the matters of the party as well as the constituency when the late MPA was in Karachi.

According to him, the PPP has offered their family the party ticket. “Our family will decide who will contest the elections.”

Haji Ameen Lakho, the district president, was not available for comment but sources in the party say that Aijaz Shah Bukhari is most likely to be chosen. The late Bukhari was elected an MPA five times from his constituency since 1988, losing only once to Mir Ali Nawaz Talpur in the 2002 general elections.

Provincial Election Commissioner Sono Khan Baloch told The Express Tribune that the deadline for filing the nomination papers are February 6 and 7 while the final list of the candidates will be declared on February 16. The elections will be held on February 25 with the updated electoral rolls in light of the Supreme Court’s order, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2012.]]>
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