ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday accepted the apologies of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, National Assembly former speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa former chief minister Pervez Khattak and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for using foul language against political opponents during their election campaigns.
“Do not use such language in the future,” a four-member ECP bench headed by chief election commissioner warned the four leaders while accepting their apologies. The ECP also ordered that Khattak’s victory notification, which had been previously withheld, be issued.
Earlier in the day, Sadiq’s lawyer Kamran Murtaza submitted an apology on behalf of the former speaker and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader. On the occasion, the bench also played a clip of Ayaz Sadiq using derogatory language against the PTI.
Pervaiz Khattak appeared before the ECP himself and apologised.
PTI chairman’s counsel Babar Awan and Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s lawyer also appeared before the four-member bench and tendered apologies on behalf of their clients.
Last month, the ECP had issued notices to the four politicians for using indecent language during their election campaigns. The ECP had said notices were taken on the basis of media reports suggesting the use of foul language by the leaders.
The ECP, after accepting Imran Khan’s apology, issued notifications of his victory from NA-35 (Bannu), NA-95 (Mianwali) and NA-243 (Karachi).
The ECP also notified Imran’s victory against PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique from NA-131 (Lahore) after Supreme Court suspended the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict on recounting of votes. Separately, the ECP has asked Imran Khan to submit an apology letter signed by himself in a case related to violation of ballot secrecy laws. The ECP bench ordered Imran Khan’s counsel Babar Awan to submit the apology by Friday (today). Earlier while hearing the case, the ECP rejected an apology letter signed by Imran’s counsel Babar Awan on behalf of his client. The PTI chief cited personal commitments as a reason for absence from the hearing. Awan appeared before the ECP and said the case shouldn’t be dragged further as the PTI chief had already tendered apology for the violation, which was not intentional. However, Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Raza Khan said a detailed reply must be submitted to the ECP.
Published in Daily Times, August 10th 2018.
