Fawad submits written apology to ECP over caustic remarks

The minister unconditionally apologised and prayed the electoral watchdog to quash the case against him

ISLAMABAD:

Days after the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry apologised for his statements against the Election Commission of Pakistan, the minister on Monday formally submitted his apology in writing with the electoral watchdog.

Earlier, the minister had verbally tendered an unconditional apology for the allegations he levelled against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the ECP during a press conference. However, the ECP directed the information minister to submit his apology in writing, to which he agreed.

In the last hearing, during which he apologised for his remarks, Fawad stated that he was a lawyer himself and had a lot of respect for the chief election commissioner. "I do not want to get involved in the paperwork,” he said and maintained that he did not hurl expletives at anyone and is simply a "mouthpiece" for the cabinet and the government.

“The statements are not mine, and it is requested that the notice be withdrawn,” the minister said, requesting the commission to accept his apology.

Following the federal minister’s formal apology on Monday, the ECP is expected to release its decision on the matter later.