ECP takes notice of attempt to prevent Bilawal from reaching Uch Sharif

Senator Sherry Rehman questions impartiality of provincial caretaker government in letter to CEC

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday took notice of an attempt by the Punjab Police to prevent the convoy of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari from reaching Uch Sharif, according to reports.

Protesting against the incident, Opposition Leader in the Senate, Sherry Rehman has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza.

The letter, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, stated that Bilawal was barred from entering the Uch Sharif shrine by the police officials.



The complete impartiality of the caretaker Punjab government is questionable, and the role of the caretaker set-up is controversial in this matter, wrote Rehman.

In the complaint, the PPP senator requested the CEC to take notice of the matter, adding that there should be no further compromise in ensuring the security of PPP leaders.

 





Secretary General PPP Nayyar Bukhari also held a press conference on Sunday along with other PPP leaders in Islamabad and informed the media about the matter.

He said that it was the responsibility of the ECP to ensure transparent elections.

"The caretaker government, district government and the police are no longer impartial," the PPP leader remarked.



"A written request has been forwarded to the ECP on this matter. Bilawal was stopped and obstructions were laid in his election campaign," Bukhari told reporters.

The PPP leader demanded that the ECP take action against the accused, as officials had violated the "constitutional right of free movement".