Under fire: ECP Secretary Ishtiak Khan calls it quits
Lists reasons in a six-page document.
ISLAMABAD:
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed Khan resigned on Friday amidst controversies surrounding the commission’s administrative issues.
Earlier reports indicated that Khan had resigned over the manhandling of a polling staffer last week. PPP candidate Waheeda Shah was caught on camera slapping a staffer during polling in the Tando Muhammad Khan by-election. However, Khan told The Express Tribune that he had resigned due to ‘several reasons’.
“I forwarded my resignation to authorities concerned on Thursday. The reasons are documented over six pages, which I will release once the prevailing uncertainty dissipates,” he said.
Officials said the non-cooperative attitude of ECP members was the main reason for Khan’s resignation. The prime minister had extended Khan’s tenure last November ‘based on his performance and dedication’.
Officials also said that Supreme Court’s tight deadlines regarding various cases compelled Khan to resign. “We think these deadlines are unjustified as we cannot possibly meet them under the rules,” said an ECP member on the condition of anonymity.
There were also other administrative issues which prompted the sudden resignation and brought Khan under the limelight. Khan, however, said he would continue to work at the request of Chief Election Commissioner (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza until the prime minister accepts his resignation. Khan had joined the ECP as secretary in November 2009.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2012.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed Khan resigned on Friday amidst controversies surrounding the commission’s administrative issues.
Earlier reports indicated that Khan had resigned over the manhandling of a polling staffer last week. PPP candidate Waheeda Shah was caught on camera slapping a staffer during polling in the Tando Muhammad Khan by-election. However, Khan told The Express Tribune that he had resigned due to ‘several reasons’.
“I forwarded my resignation to authorities concerned on Thursday. The reasons are documented over six pages, which I will release once the prevailing uncertainty dissipates,” he said.
Officials said the non-cooperative attitude of ECP members was the main reason for Khan’s resignation. The prime minister had extended Khan’s tenure last November ‘based on his performance and dedication’.
Officials also said that Supreme Court’s tight deadlines regarding various cases compelled Khan to resign. “We think these deadlines are unjustified as we cannot possibly meet them under the rules,” said an ECP member on the condition of anonymity.
There were also other administrative issues which prompted the sudden resignation and brought Khan under the limelight. Khan, however, said he would continue to work at the request of Chief Election Commissioner (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza until the prime minister accepts his resignation. Khan had joined the ECP as secretary in November 2009.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2012.