ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Counsel Dr. Babar Awan has submitted reply to the show cause notice in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding violation of election code of conduct issued by the Regional Election Commissioner NA-205 Benazirabad to the prime minister.
The show cause notice had been issued to the prime minister over alleged violation of ECP’s code of conduct on June 19, 2019.
Dr. Babar Awan met the Secretary ECP Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad in Islamabad and submitted reply to the show cause notice.
It is maintained in the reply that the prime minister, being a law abiding, principled and disciplined leader of the nation, has not violated any provision of code of conduct and he went to Ghotki to extend condolences to the family of deceased federal cabinet member Ali Mohammad Mehr.
Dr Babar Awan said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has deep respect for the electoral laws and code of conduct and the premier during his stay in Ghotki, has not participated in any political program/meeting/rally nor he made any political statement or press talk.
Babar Awan went on to add that Para 17(part-B) of the code of conduct bars the president, prime minister, cabinet members and members of parliament from taking part in election campaign in any manner.
Dr Babar Awan implied that the aforementioned clause doesn’t bar religious visit for condolence. He said that the malicious, scandalous and baseless complaint filed by the candidate is publicity driven and an attempt to make hype in the media.
“We reserve the right of filing a proper complaint for initiation of proceedings for making false and dishonest statement before the commission”, he said.
It is therefore requested, Dr Babar Awan added, the copy of the complaint along with affidavit of the complaint be provided and show cause notice issued be withdrawn being misconceived and without any legal justification.
