Bilawal, Murad challenge ECP fine over Peshawar rally

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday moved the Election Commission of Pakistan, challenging the fine imposed on them by the Peshawar district monitoring officer (DMO).

Last Friday, DMO Saeed Ahmad Khan imposed a fine of Rs50,000 each on Bilawal and Murad for violation of the code of conduct during the local government polls in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The two leaders had addressed a political rally in Peshawar to celebrate the party’s Foundation Day.

The DMO also imposed fine on a number of other lawmakers of the PPP, including Khurshid Shah, Saeed Ghani, Nisar Ahmad Khuhro and Qadir Patel for addressing the public meeting, despite the announcement of the local elections, which are scheduled to take place on Dec 19 in 17 districts of K-P.

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In an appeal filed with the ECP, the PPP leaders stated that the rally in Peshawar was related to the party's Foundation Day and it was not related to any elections. Furthermore, they added, the election code of conduct did not prohibit any political activities.

They said that they had sought time from the DMO to respond to the notices issued to them but it was not granted. They requested the ECP to annul the decision of the DMO. PPP leaders Khursheed Shah, Nisar Khorro and Saeed Ghani also mounted a similar challenge in the ECP.