Swati given time to file reply to ECP notice

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday gave Railways Minister Azam Swati until November 16 to file his reply to the show-cause notice issued to him over his acerbic remarks against the election supervisor.

During a hearing, Swati’s lawyer objected to the framing of charges against his client, without giving him time to reply to the show-cause notice. Lawyer Ali Zafar also argued that he did not receive the second notice issued by the ECP.

On October 26, the ECP had given 15 days’ time to Swati, who is also the senior vice president of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to submit his reply to the show-cause notice issued to him for his caustic remarks and allegations against the ECP and the chief election commissioner (CEC).

When the hearing resumed on Thursday, a large number of PTI members accompanied the minister and joined him even at the rostrum but they were removed by the commission. At the outset of the hearing, ECP Member Sindh asked for filing charges against Swati.

The defence lawyer argued how an individual could be charged without his reply to the show cause. He further said that his client had not received the second notice. However, ECP Member Balochistan Shah Mohammad Jatoi remarked reply to show-cause notice was not necessary for framing charges.

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The commission granted the request and directed Swati to submit a reply by November 16.

Talking to media after the hearing, Swati said that the prime minister’s appearance before the Supreme Court within half an hour was the victory of law and justice. He added that electoral reform was the main task of the government.