‘Partial’ caretaker: Poll body approaches PM over minister’s gaffe

Interior Minister Malik Habib denies political affiliation.

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI:

The Election Commission of Pakistan has approached interim Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso for possible action against Malik Habib Khan over a controversial statement implying political affiliations.

However, the caretaker interior minister has strongly denied the implication and has distanced himself from the remarks he had made about Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif.

Several political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have demanded action against the ‘partial’ caretaker interior minister.

ECP Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan wrote a letter to Prime Minister Khoso on Tuesday highlighting the importance of impartiality for the caretaker government. However, Habib challenged the move. “If there is any evidence against me being biased, please make it public,” he said.

The ECP secretary’s letter to the premier reads: “As you are aware that the ECP is under constitutional obligation to organise and conduct the elections and to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that elections are conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with the law, therefore, (this matter) can damage this noble national cause as it is against the mandate and purpose of setting interim governments primarily meant for ensuring conduct of free and fair elections.”

PPP demands resignation

Meanwhile, the election cell of the PPP in Sindh issued a statement, demanding the resignation of the interim interior minister. The statement claimed that not only did Habib openly support the PML-N but  he had also said that the caretaker government would continue to work for the next three years.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2013.