Ayaz Amir. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Amir had filed his papers from Chakwal.
An objection criticising Amir for writing articles "against the ideology of Pakistan" was filed against his nomination papers by complainant Babar Salim.
The decision against Amir’s nomination papers was taken by an ECP returning officer yesterday.
According to Pakistan's Constitution, one cannot be a member of Parliament if he or she has “worked against the integrity of the country or opposed the ideology of Pakistan.”
Amir confirmed with local media that his nomination papers had been rejected. He said he would file an appeal against the decision tomorrow.
Amir is a renowned journalist and columnist who has contributed to Dawn and The News International.
He occupied the Chakwal district NA-60 seat.
COMMENTS (88)
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Appreciated! This is an evidence of free and fair EC. What everyone must understand is that Returning Officer is not a lay man but a Judge qualified enough to 'judge' everyone according to law. If Mr. Amr has done something against the law, he must be answerable for it no matter how honest or straighforward he is. Just because you are an accomplished writer and have links with bureaucrats, dosn't give you immunity against the laws and secularism, no matter how much appreciated by our society is not supported by the consitution, whatsoever. So yes, hail to the supremacy of ECP. Thumbs Up!
We should abide by the constitution, if this is done accordingly .
@lmao: Then give same treatment. Please name those people. You can not make hole in the same plate from where you are eating.
GEN. ZIA still ruling from his grave! First thing that strikes to mind after rejection of Ayaz Amir’s nomination papers by ECP. Read my blog at http://bit.ly/13VfH0a
Some people are wondering which articles were the offending ones. From an interview we know the following:
'Speaking to Geo News, Amir said reservations were raised over his columns concerning the ideology of Pakistan, particularly the one he penned about Ardeshir Cowasjee.
“I was asked by the Returning Officer about characters mentioned from English literature in the Cowasjee article. I asked if anyone was familiar with these characters but received blank looks.”'
The article on Cowasjee is here: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-145777-An-unusual-man
As for what is against the 'ideology of Pakistan'? I'm scratching my head over it. Maybe it has to do with the last paragraph in which he infers that Cowasjee, a non-Muslim, would make it to heaven...? Or maybe the RO was not a fan of Shakespeare.
I've personally known Mr. Ayaz Amir for 25 odd years. Though I'm no supporter of PML-N but I can safely say that regardless of whether I've known him or not, he's a man of integrity, intellect, vision and principles.
What ECP is doing (not limited to rejecting his papers) is absolutely disgusting. Shame on them and shame on all of us.
Bunch of idiots!
i need to read that article before i make a comment....can u send the link to this article
It is the another very tragic and darkest day in history of Pakistan that progressive writers, journalists, and thinkers are being rejected by such low mentality ECP returning officers on such ridiculous charges which have been levied against Mr.Amir. Finally, independent ECP under Fakhro bhai, is doing the job that even tyrant Zia could not accomplish in his lifetime, despite the fact he introduced these clauses in constitution of Pakistan. I am a great admirer of Mr. Fakhruddin G.Ibrahim for his character, but what is happening is very disappointing and disheartening for all of us. It is unbelievable that a lucky Irani circus is being run in the name of articles 62 and 63 in PPP's regime. I am amazed why national level and secular parties accepted the interpretation and implementation of 62 and 63 in the first place. Also, this circus is being watched by the political giants like silent spectators. I applaud Mr.Irfan Siddiqui and other columnists who have raised their voices against the abuse of these clauses for scrutiny. I also applaud Imran Khan, PTI chairman, for raising the issue in well before time. He's the first one who urged to restrict use of these articles only for the purposes of monetary scrutiny not for morality. However, no one paid attention to his demands and now witnessing this drama.
Whether it's the Cricket Board or the ECP or the Prime Minister. They all think they have the power of personal will over the democratic process.
According to this:
Freedom of expression is against the ideology of Pakistan
However,
Abrogating the constitution isn't Looting the banks isn't Treating the public exchequer as a personal account isnt Misusing one's authority isnt
...and so on
@SMJ: true
Can anyone please provide the link for the subject article written by Ayaz Amir
@Jibran: you are right.... I was about to say that..
Read and decide:ISLAMABAD: In a surprising move, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Thursday raised objections to the nomination of Pakistan Muslim League-N Punjab President Shahbaz Sharif and others as the candidates to contest the upcoming polls.
NAB has sent the list of names, including that of Shahbaz Sharif and Abdur Rehman Khetran, against which objections have been raised to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
According to NAB sources, Shahbaz Sharif is a defaulter of payment against a loan amounting Rs3,846 million obtained for Hudaibiya Paper Mills.
Shahbaz Sharif has filed nomination papers to contest the general elections scheduled to be held on May 11 for one National Assembly seat from Mianwali and two provincial assembly seats from Lahore.
The list of names sent by NAB to the ECP also contains names of Zafar Baig Bhaitni, Muhammad Makhdoom Gilani and Abdur Rehman Khetran.
He should lodge an APPEAL and he should get a favourable judgement. Everybody Agree?
WOW ECP. Thanks for scoopin so low and making sure our new leaders are even more intolerant biased Azaan rotten Mullahs. All hail the new Naya Pakistan. Soon to be Gaya Pakistan.
This kind of people must be disqualified, there are many such people among the politicians.
I daubt if this returning officer had ever read an article of Ayaz sahib (if he is English-literate at all, that is)
If he is honest, then why he is with PML (N)?
Now we know who is behind the application of article 62 and 63 in the Election process and the introduction of Tahirul Qadri. None of the politicians are saints but Ayaz Amir is not corrupt. Probably the best guy in the PMLN. Shame on the ECP...puppets on a string.
Can anyone, please, post the link of the article for which Ayaz Amir's nomination papers were rejected?
I rather shoot myself than watch on tv what kind of rediculous eligibilty conditions the ECP is imposing on the candidates ...One of the few sane heads in PMLN being rejected from contesting on abserd grounds ...ive lost all respect for ECP
ECP = Malik Mumtaz Qadiri = General Mindset of Pakistan. Welcome to next five years of Engineered Political Dictatorship
I am die hard PTI supporter but rejection of Amir's papers is utterly ridiculous. Mard e Momin Mard e Haq Zia ul Haq Zia ul Haq
He was among few good Men in PMLN in group of corrupts and criminals.
@Abdullah: He deserved it. I have read som of his articles, he is a confused person.
Your posting says it all; you need some serious remedial classes.
Why blaming Zia, In Zia era even people who were convicted by courts were allowed by Zia to take part in elections. More over this candidates belongs from party which was the leading supporter of Zia, so using Zia name in this reference is unjustified.
By rejecting his papers, the ECP are inviting pressure to accept the papers of all corrupt and hypocrite politicians. See the trick. Ayaz Amir wrote about the ideology of Pakistan, but how about those who have 'acted' against the actual entity 'Pakistan.'
They are only trying to deliberately lose the leverage they would have in barring the corrupt, the money launderers, the tax evaders and the fake degree holders.
@opler: and what is ‘idealogy of Pakistan’ ?
Terrorism and Treachery
Zia is grinning ear to ear; angles can count the "tooth." Common sense put to death by the EC Justices. Another "memorable" April 4th in Pakistan's history.
and what is 'idealogy of Pakistan' ?
Please is it Ayaz Ameer or Ayaz Amir
Zabardast... He deserved it. I have read som of his articles, he is a confused person. I hope many others will follow the same destiny.
Finally..Something sensible from the ECP atlast!!!
@Ali: Its ridiculous. It shows the immaturity and close minds of ECP. They must open their minds. Ayaz Amir is intellect, a well learned person.... Truely Speaking Mr, Ali... this is rediculous.
Apparently nomination papers are being routed through ISI HQ; pandora box has opened -- interesting days ahead.
I am glad somebody has the courage to get hold of self styled confused intellectuals ,who continuously write derogatorary things about Pakistan and its existence in the guise of freedom of press. Good job by ECP. By the way the contribution of Ayaz Mir I politics in general and his constituency in particular is zero. Let his party nominate some sane man.
This ECP is showing all Pakistanis a mirror to their face. They call themselves muslims but have no knowledge of Islam though they all claim to pray 5 times a day regularly. I recall when Rehman Malik could not even recite Shoora Ekla, he was mocked by everyone, when each of them are the same. They lie regularly without any conscious.
The other day, the host in a TV discussion said that in most Nikkah ceremonies the groom's family tell privately to the Mulla not to ask the groom to recite more than one or two of six Kalimas as the groom's knowledge is limited. You will always see persons like Hafiz Saeed start their speeches or TV discussions reciting an unheard verse and the Pakistanis get impressed though they do not understand or know the meaning. In Pakistan anyone saying something in Arabic is a genius.
How many times have we not read comments from Pakistanis in ET that Pakistan is discriminated and world adopts double standards as they are muslims. Are the Pakistanis muslims by any standards? Absolutely not. Pakistanis do not follow even one islamic principle. They follow the worst cast based discrimination and untouchability, contribute for charities when they know that the donations shall be funding terror activities, convert hindu girls in most immoral ways, and many more such acts. How can they follow islamic principles when they have so limited knowledge of Islam? If at all the world is having a different standard for Pakistanis, it is because they falsely and fraudulently claim to be muslims but are not. Yet Pakistanis would persecute ahmedis for calling themselves muslims. After watching "Khara Sach With Mubashir Lucman" recently, I have come to the conclusion that most Pakistani muslims do not even have halal food in Pakistan. Pakistani's cheat and lie in the name of religion. What else could be more blasphemous to Islam? Pakistanis talk of muslims all around the world, yet they are themselves not muslims.
However, the ECP is also picking and choosing. They do not ask IK on the sleazy videos that many have seen and do not question Musharraf on alcohol though he himself has admitted it publicly. Let us see what they are going to question Maulana on his knowledge of Islam.
This is the first hint we are getting that the ECP has the same qibla as every other institution. And that qibla is GHQ Rawalpindi. The most recent crime committed by Mr Ayaz Amir was to be the sole objector in Parliament against the Defence Housing Authority bill. He wrote that such a bill had 'no place in a democracy'. That must have rubbed the guardians of our ideology (who also happen to be great realtors) the wrong way. The only surprise here is the shamlessness with which ECP has exposed its non-independence.
@Nadir: And Pervez Elahi accepted too.Musharraf also.? What a shame.Ayaz Amir is one of the most respected and HONEST journalist. He even speaks agaisnt his own party(which does allow him unlike some others).
Good decision ECP
Its ridiculous. It shows the immaturity and close minds of ECP. They must open their minds. Ayaz Amir is intellect, a well learned person.
Stage has been set to bring in people who cannot speak or think other than beaten line of military establishment and its rightest elite. Farwell Jinnah's Pakistan and Welcome Zia's Pakistan.
I hope they reject all the candidates from all the FAKE OLD Parties except PTI... I pray that IK wins this time. and In sha ALLAH he will :)
We were not hoping that ECP will take such a bold step to abstain bad people. Now the ECP is very mature and fully independent. Well Done Paki Nation with you.
I hope PML(N) loses, and loses badly. But rejecting Ayaz Amir's papers is a ridiculous decision...as someone pointed out, Musharraf, the guy who manhandled the judiciary and subverted the constitution is being allowed to run!!
"ABSURED" is the first word came to my mind.
Ayaz Amir did not fulfill Zia's criteria because he is: Not a hypocrite; Not a bigot; Not a religious fanatic; Not corrupt; And on top of that, IsThoughtful; Is tolerant; Is wise; Thinks in the best interest of Pakistan; Has vision and so many other "disqualifications" and undesirable traits. GEN. ZIA UL HAQ Ruling from the grave! Poor Pakistan and it's multitude Zia Ul Haq murdered lot of other things besides Z A Bhutto on April 4, 1979.
His crime is that he criticizes the military establishment. That alone in fact is the criterion. It's like Good Politician, Bad Politician. version of Good Taliban, Bad Taliban version. If they succeed in derailing the democracy this time, you can bet the next rejection of the papers will be that of Pakistan as state, not the honest and conscientious people like Ayaz Amir. I have been reading him articles since I was 15 and I have never seen him write anything nonsensical.
Stage is set. The way it is getting out of control, my feeling is that Soon Fakhruddin G Ibrahim will resign. This time Najam sethi will also not repeat the old mistake. And then the entire set up will crumble, with judiciary and army nexus taking the control. Welcome Bangladesh model!
"Ideology of Pakistan" , another gift of Pakistan to human civilization.
hahahaha wah Pakistan !
This is totally injustice and unfair decision of election commission, which accepted Musharaf’s form, who subverted the constitution of country and toppled the elected government, and at the other hand Ayaz Amir who writes for secular Pakistan, is not acceptable… I go red in the face!!
I think ayaz amir should challenge the decision in the lahore high court.
Doubtless Ayaz sahab is a devout Pakistani. He has a devout allegiance to Pakistan. He is a voice that stands for reason and rational critique. All that he has said and written serves the interest of Pakistan. ECP decision is a miscarriage of justice.
What about the ASWJ who are alligned to TTP who oppose the existence of Pakistan
This is ludicrous! Ayaz mir is disqualified? Someone said above that this country is in serious trouble. I have been saying for years it is dead in the water! There is time for the ECP to wake up even now! And sack these stupid ROs who are doing what they are...
He is one of the sensible of PML-N's lot... who could be their information for foreign minister. Now, PML has to find someone who suits the position.
This is bordering on the ridiculous. Maybe the plan is to turn it into a tamasha so that the whole process is discredited.
On the death anniversary of Bhutto, Zia has won again.
all rubbish. RO is not authorized to cancel the nomination papers on the ground of a capmplaint. How can he decide who is against the ideology of Pakistan or who is not. criteria of sadiq and Ameen will be another hiccup in accepting the nomination papers
Ayaz Amir was an anomaly within PML-N. It is possible that the leadership wanted him out for keeping an independent opinion, and might have hoodwinked a rightist returning officer.
“against the ideology of Pakistan” What does that even mean, such a reckless decision by the ECP
I agree that ECP needs to move in swiftly and do some serious damage control here or they will end up creating a theater of the absurd. It is one thing to make tangible checks such as on fake degrees and completely another to make subjective judgments the criteria of accepting nominations.
ECP is so right. Mr Amir writes things that make sense and truth. I am sure that is against the ideology of Pakistan?
Hint: "Sarcasm"
Ha ha “against the ideology of Pakistan” my foot . RO 's decision aginst “against the ideology of Pakistan”
Jinnah's Pakistan!
political difference aside but this is shameful
And Najam Sethi (who is also against the ideology of Pakistan) is Punjab's cheif minister, who will disqualify him ?
what a nonsense decision
Who are these returning officers to judge whether a person is for or against ideology of Pakistan. BTW what is the criteria for showing allegiance for ideology of Pakistan........creating Difa e Pakistan Council.............??????
ECP seriously needs to check itself otherwise it will end in a mockery of an institute that has gained some semblance of respectability with Fakhruddin G Ibrahim as its head. Returning Officers should only be concerned with submission of forms and later scrutiny should be restricted to criminal record, taxes paid and borrowing history. That is it.
This is a bad news. Can someone share exactly what he wrote 'against the ideology of Pakistan' ?
After KG pass Waqas Akram ...another blow to PML(N)!!!
Now this is barbarism
This is absurd. LEJ leaders in Jhang are able to contest elections with no problems but Ayaz Amir is rejected! This country is in big trouble.
Why? Did he attack Supreme Court? Is he involved in Asghar Kahn case? Has he taken money from Osama bin Laden and Saudi Arabia to illegally topple sitting government? Then why?
Is this a democratic process where everybody has the right to Free speech?NO
Ideology of Pakistan? what is this? the one defined by GHQ! the term " Ideology of Pakistan? was coined in late 60s. It never existed in 1947.
Good decision Law is law and must be respected
Silly & Immature are the 1st thoughts that come to mind .
Is this ir-revokable ? Can he appeal ?
Disgusting. He's probably the most sensible person in PMLN. Shame on you ECP.
Disqualification of people opposed to Pakistans islamic ideology is welcome but this shouldn't stop at Ayaz Amir as there are many more people who need to be disqualified for similar reason.
These returning officers should be held accountable as well. They can't just reject papers like that.
So any doubts left that Immo is next PM ? Tusnami will come from sky if not from these politicans who are confused about birth of Pakistan.
Right, and Musharaf's papers are accepted? Subverting the constitution is not against the constitution and ideology of Pakistan?