Fawad questions delay in ECP order release

ISLAMABAD:

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday called into question the ECP’s "reluctance" to not release the written order of Imran Khan’s disqualification and alleged that changes were being made in it in line with the PML-N-led coalition government’s wishes.

Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Fawad pointed out that the order for Imran’s disqualification had not been released yet. "If you do not have the order, what did you announce yesterday?” he questioned.

He noted the order did not bear the signatures of ECP members, stressing that the law clearly says that if the order does not have the signatures of all members, it is not a judgement.

Fawad said that more than 24 hours have passed and the ECP has still not released the written ruling. “There is a possibility of changing the decision of the ECP just like the decision was changed in the foreign funding case.”

“What will be a bigger dishonesty by an institution,” he added.

He also urged the courts to decide references filed by the PTI against ECP members, including Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

“It clearly seems that we will have to go for a revolution and prepare for a long march. The chance we gave, it seems the government and those associated with it are wasting it, and the people of Pakistan will no other way than to come out to save the Constitution.”

In response to a question, the PT leader attributed the prevailing political crisis to the “establishment’s thoughtlessness” and said that the responsibility to fix it lay with both politicians and institutions.

He said the situation would not have deteriorated if the "establishment" would have remained apolitical in the first place.

Meanwhile, talking to the media outside the IHC, PTI leader Asad Umar termed the ECP decision "unconstitutional" but one that was not unexpected.

He said that the commission had become part of the “imported government”.

"God willing, this decision of the Election Commission will also be rejected," he said, adding that ink was wasted by writing this decision.

"Imran Khan does not play by setting up an umpire of his own choice; the Election Commission added requisition paragraphs after its ongoing decision," he further said.

The Election Commission used powers that were not within its discretion, he remarked. “Fatwa of the Election Commission has been issued against us.”

The PTI leader said that the decisions of the ECP were rejected by the courts. “The people of Pakistan also rejected the decision of the Election Commission; the nation stands with Imran Khan,” he added.

Asad said that Pakistan is currently suffering from the worst economic crisis. “The opponents are afraid of the popularity of Imran Khan,” he said.

He claimed that the Election Commission became an ally of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and delivered a verdict that was “not complete”.

He added that the IHC will hear their application on Monday. “God willing, the IHC will suspend the Election Commission’s decision on our request,” he further said.

The PTI leader said that it is learned that the Mianwali’s leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are worried that they will have to face Imran Khan again.

Separately, in a tweet, Asad wondered why the ECP was not releasing the detailed verdict. “What are they cooking up now?” he asked.

On the other hand, Barrister Ali Zafar said that they have challenged the ECP decision in the Toshakhana case, and it will be heard on Monday.

“A member not signing the decision is strange, we have received an order, but it is not signed,” he remarked.

PTI leader Imran Ismail also took to Twitter to comment on the matter. He accused the ECP of being “subservient” to the PDM. He also hinted at mala fide intent behind the delay.

Ismail said that the chief election commissioner was “waiting for a written decision” from London or Bilawal House.

The ambiguity over the matter stems from the delay in the issuance of written order, which is expected to clear up the nature and duration of the former prime minister’s disqualification.

The PTI chief was disqualified by the ECP under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution read with sections 137 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has already stated that the former premier has been disqualified for five years.