ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disposed of a petition filed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) against Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding allocation of development funds to women lawmakers of the National Assembly ahead of the Senate polls.
A three-member commission headed by Election Commission member Irshad Qaiser conducted the hearing wherein PPP’s counsel Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari appeared.
Bukhari prayed before the commission that members of the NA were ‘bribed’ in the form of development funds thus violating the code of conduct.
“The Prime minister’s announcement to provide funds to members falls into the category of corrupt practise,” he said. “He violated Article 181 [of the Constitution] and can be punished.”
Bukhari further maintained that violation of the Code of Conduct by the premier was tantamount to insulting the Election Commission on which the commission can impose a sentence of three years and a fine of up to Rs100,000.
“The code of conduct only mentions the president and governors, not the prime minister,” said the commission’s Balochistan member.
Bukhari prayed that the electoral body had the power to take notice of the Prime Minister’s announcement.
The ECP also asked about the petition filed in the Supreme Court. Bukhari replied that it had been disposed of.
After hearing the arguments, the ECP disposed of the petition of PPP’s counsel against the Premier as inadmissible.
In February last, the Supreme Court (SC) disposed of the development funds case following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s denial of news reports citing him as announcing allocation of Rs500 million to all lawmakers ahead of the Senate polls.
The petition was being heard by a five-judge larger bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed. The decision came as the Ministry of Finance submitted a signed undertaking of the premier, denying such an action being taken by him.
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan also informed the SC that the Premier denied the news of giving development funds to the members of the assembly.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed found PM Imran’s response satisfactory. – TLTP