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Show cause notice to PM is not less than a surprise: Firdous Ashiq

Show cause notice to PM is not less than a surprise: Firdous Ashiq
June 21, 2019
ISLAMABAD (News) – Special Assistant on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday said that the show cause notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is not less than a surprise. In a series of tweet, responding to the ECP’s notice to the prime minister, the special assistant said, “The prime minister of Pakistan was issued show cause notice for visiting Ghotki to condole the demise of his cabinet member Sardar Ali Muhammed Khan Mahar with his family is not less than a surprise.” She also said that during his visit, PM Khan did not even hold any press conference nor announce any development projects like traditional politicians. “On the other hand, the Sindh government is involved in the pre-poll rigging by using money of the government without any hesitation,” the special assistant said, in another tweet. She added that the provincial ministers were assigned officially duties for election campaign in the constituency. “Besides of this, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced development projects, hundreds of jobs and other packages there,” she mentioned. Firdous Ashiq Awan further said that the ministers of Sindh government are violating the rules and regulations of the ECP, and one of the members is conducting his bye-election campaign under the protocol of Sindh police. She also questioned that why the ECP is silent over this violation and not taking any notice. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a showcause notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan for visiting Ghotki ahead of the NA-205 by-election in violation of the commission’s code of conduct.

It is noteworthy that Imran Khan was in Ghotki on a visit that the ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said was to condole the death of former federal minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Khan Mahar.

The notice was issued after a complaint was lodged by Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) NA-205 Ghotki-II candidate, Abdul Bari Pitafi. Pitafi contended that the prime minister’s visit had come nine days after the ECP notified the July 18 by-election and almost a month after the death of the former federal minister for narcotics control, who was elected from NA-205.