ECP rejects railway minister’s request

Azam Khan Swati ordered to appear in person on Oct 26

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected a request filed by Railways Minister Senator Azam Khan Swati seeking relief in a case pertaining to him leveling allegations against the election commission and ordered him to appear in person on October 26.

A bench comprising ECP members Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi heard the case involving PTI Senator Swati.

During the hearing, Swati's assistant counsel appeared before the commission and stated that his senior counsel Chaudhry Faisal was busy in the Supreme Court.

Upon hearing this, ECP member Jatoi inquired whether the junior counsel had not received a briefing on the case from the senior lawyer. ECP member Durrani stated that handing over a mere power of attorney will not solve the problem.

The ECP bench rejected the railway minister’s plea seeking relief while issuing him show cause notices and ordering him to appear in person to explain his position.

Earlier, Senator Swati had levelled serious allegations against the ECP stating that the commission had not rendered any services for democracy and were working for the highest bidder.

The chief election commissioner had taken note of Swati's allegations and sought a reply from the federal minister.