ECP clears TLP of any wrongdoing

Tells SC in report no proof of anti-state activities, foreign funding found

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has cleared the right-wing Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) of any involvement in anti-state activities and receiving foreign funding.

The commission on Thursday submitted a report to the Supreme Court on the implementation of the decision related to the Faizabad sit-in.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has also presented its written response to the top court on the matter.

The ECP in its report confirmed that the TLP had received Rs1.5 million from prohibited sources.

However, it added that the sum received by the TLP amounted to almost nothing, likening it to “salt in dough”. The report mentioned that the amount received by the TLP from prohibited sources could not be termed as foreign funding.

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According to the report, the commission conducted a detailed review of the funds received by the TLP in which no evidence of foreign funding was found.

The report also refuted the allegation of the TLP's involvement in anti-state activities. It read that the ECP had sought a report from the interior ministry on the involvement of the TLP in anti-state activities. In response, the interior ministry stated that the TLP was not involved in any anti-state activities.

The commission said it had found no evidence on the basis of which the TLP could be declared an anti-state party. The report stated that the ECP was fully aware of its constitutional obligations and the notice issued to the TLP was withdrawn after a thorough inquiry into the party.

Pemra in its written response informed the top court that all of its orders had been followed. It added that it had instructed all TV channels to remain careful while broadcasting religious matters.

The authority said TV news channels were also banned from live coverage of the Faizabad operation.

It continued that the broadcasting of TV news channels was stopped for violating the guidelines.

Pemra stated that the broadcasting of those TV channels was restored after 24 hours on the instructions of the federal government.

It pointed out that some journalists had complained about the suspension of broadcasting of two private TV news channels.

Read More: ISI challenges SC's Faizabad sit-in verdict

However, Pemra claimed that it had not issued any advisory to shut down any TV news channel.

A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, will hear the case on November 1.

The SC had given the ruling on a sit-in by the TLP at Faizabad in Islamabad in 2017. Authored by Justice Isa, the searing judgment had directed the country’s intelligences agencies not to exceed their constitutional mandate.

It had also directed the federal government to monitor those advocating hate, extremism, and terrorism and prosecute them in accordance with the law. Adverse observations were also made against several government departments and other public sector entities.