Allegation of bias: ICT admin asks Imran Khan to provide evidence

PTI accuses city admin of supporting a ‘specific party’

ISLAMABAD: The city administration on Saturday asked the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman to provide proof to support a recent statement he made accusing the administration of supporting a specific political party during the Local Government (LG) elections in the capital.

“If your party has any evidence against officials of the administration or the police of supporting a specific group during the LG elections, you are requested to approach this office at any time,” states a letter penned by Islamabad Deputy Commissioner
Capt (retired) Mushtaq Ahmed to PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

The letter was written in response to allegations made by the PTI chief that the Islamabad Police were allegedly supporting a specific political party during the LG campaign, explained Islamabad Additional Deputy Commissioner Abdul Sattar Essani.

The letter, available with The Express Tribune, states that the city administration had asked the PTI chief to present the ‘concrete proof’ he claims to have of partiality among the police vis-à-vis electioneering ahead of the November 30 LG polls.

The letter said that in pursuance of its legal and administrative responsibilities, the ICT Administration and the police were bound to uphold the law and ensure that all political parties adhered to the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The administration also asked Imran Khan to hold a meeting with the administration in the presence of the ECP officials so that, if the allegations are true, appropriate action could be taken against those responsible.

PTI spokesperson Naeemul Haq said the party is reviewing its options.

Section 144 imposed

Meanwhile, the administration has imposed Section 144 in the capital till December 3, 2015.

The ban on public assembly was imposed with the intent of ensuring order in the city before, during and after the elections.

The ECP had already issued a polling scheme for the capital.

A total of 640 polling stations — 261 for men, 256 for women and 123 combined — will be set up across the capital, with a total of 2,156 polling booths.

Around 640 presiding officers and 6,468 assistant presiding officers will be deputed to conduct the elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2015.