By-polls: JI Lower Dir flays ECP for leaving PK-95 sans MPA

Threatens protest if commission does not notify candidate of victory

TIMERGARA: The leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Lower Dir chapter threatened to protest if the notification of their candidate’s victory in PK-95 by-elections is not issued by November 27.

“We will hold a sit-in outside Election Commission of Pakistan’s office in Islamabad,” said JI Samar Bagh tehsil ameer Maulana Mirajul Haq at a news conference at Timergara Press Club on Thursday.

Miraj maintained the by-elections were held on the seat vacated by JI central chief Sirajul Haq on May 7. “JI’s Izazul Mulk Afkari won the election with a clear mandate.”  He added later officials of some NGOs and other elements came forward to submit a writ petition in the court objecting that women did not votes. “Peshawar High Court cancelled the NGOs applications which meant Afkari won the election.”

However, JI leaders said eight months have passed since the elections and even though the court declared a verdict, ECP has not issued the victory notification. “The constituency is suffering without an MPA,”
said Miraj.

The party leaders said none of the development projects had been initiated in the area so far which was an injustice to the people of PK-95. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2015.