ECP fines Bilawal, Sindh CM for code breach
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto for violating the commission's code of conduct for the upcoming local government elections.
The local government elections will take place on December 19 in 17 districts across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
A day after ECP fined PTI’s federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the commission also imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
Others who were also fined Rs50,000 for the code of conduct violations include MNA Khursheed Shah, Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani and MNA Qadir Patel.
Read more: Bilawal launches broadside at PM Imran
A warning was also issued to Nighat Orakzai.
Likewise, district monitoring officer, Bannu, imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on provincial minister Shah Muhammad Khan and MNA Zahid Khan Durrani, and MPAs Malik Sher Azam Khan Wazir and Malik Pakhtun Yar Khan.
The officer has also summoned Leader of the Opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Akram Khan Durrani in his office on December 11 on violation of the code of conduct during the election campaign.
On Wednesday, the ECP warned Prime Minister Imran Khan against visiting Peshawar ahead of the local body elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Also read: PPP is not joining PDM: Kundi
In a letter penned by the Peshawar regional election commissioner, the prime minister was told that it had come to the ECP’s notice through a news report that the premier is expected to visit Peshawar on Wednesday to launch the Pakistan Card Initiative.
"[...] your attention is drawn towards instructions contained in ECP's notification No. F. 16(1)2021-LGE-Kp, dated 4th November, 2021 [...] regarding restriction on visiting the area of any local council and announcing any development scheme after issuance of the election schedule," the letter read.
The ECP said that the commission would take legal action against the PM under the Election Act, 2017 if he violates the Code of Conduct.