Politics

ECP rejects PTI’s claim of appointing retired officers as DROs, ROs

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Media reports on appointment of DROs/ROs baseless, says ECP.
The commission is yet to take any such decision, says ECP.
PTI alleged retd officers appointment for pre-poll rigging.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has dismissed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) claims that the watchdog was appointing retired officers as district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) for the February 8 elections as baseless and contrary to the facts, reported The News on Tuesday.

The ECP Media Coordination and Outreach Wing, in a statement issued on Monday, maintained that the watchdog is yet to take any such decision.

“All media reports regarding the appointment of District Returning Officers/ Returning Officers are baseless and contrary to the facts. The media ran misleading news about the appointment of retired officers as District Returning Officers/Returning Officers. The commission is yet to take any such decision,” the ECP spokesperson said.

He explained the ECP has written letters to the provincial election commissioners to share lists of of DROs and ROs so that updated lists can be finalised. This is an ongoing process in which the ECP considers the appointment of DROs and ROs very important to ensure free, fair and impartial general elections.

“It is being looked at from different angles so that the general elections are fair and transparent. The Election Commission is well aware of all its constitutional responsibilities,” the Election Commission said.

The ECP issued a statement after PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub, in a post on X, had alleged that the retired officers were being appointed as DROs and ROs for pre-poll rigging.

PRE POLL RIGGING ALERT
1. Tranfers and Postings by Punjab Police after the announcement of the Election Date of 8th February 2024. This is totally illegal.
2. IG Punjab is hyperactive and bending over backwards to accommodate the wishes of 'Ladla League'.
3. This list of… pic.twitter.com/9s5btn67Yi
— Omar Ayub Khan (@OmarAyubKhan) November 12, 2023

Separately, the PTI’s Core Committee warned that the people will resist if their election mandate was stolen.

In its meeting, the core committee emphasised that the ECP, in consultation with the President Dr Arif Alvi and under the supervision of the Supreme Court, has fixed February 8 as the date for the general elections.

The party said fair elections are the basic requirements for supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law, restoration and stability of democracy and peaceful transition of power, it noted.

The party alleged open interference of the state institutions in politics against the constitution and law is causing the worst kind of deterioration in the electoral environment while the “brutal campaign of atrocities and revenge” against the party leaders and workers of PTI is going on without any fear and consideration of the law.

The Supreme Court, the party argued, should take suo motu cognizance of what it alleged the discriminatory state actions against the PTI and ensure equal opportunities for all parties to participate in the elections.

Latest News

The PPP and PML-N will confer on power-sharing arrangements in Punjab today.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

The coordination committees of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are scheduled to convene today at the Governor’s House in Lahore to deliberate on power-sharing arrangements in Punjab.

The PPP delegation would comprise Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mahmood, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Hassan Murtaza, and Ali Haider Gilani.

Ishaq Dar, Azam Nazir Tarar, Rana Sanaullah, Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, and Maryam Aurangzeb will represent the PML-N.

The conference will discuss local issues in Punjab and offer a forum for the PPP to express its concerns over its collaboration with PML-N in the province.

Both parties seek to fortify their partnership and optimize governance techniques in Punjab.

Latest News

Sheikh Rasheed says PTI and government negotiations won’t provide any results.

Published

1 week ago

Farwa

Sheikh Rasheed voiced his worries about the nation’s ongoing political dilemma while speaking outside the Anti-Terrorism Court.

According to Sheikh Rasheed, a committee was established to negotiate, but the process has not produced any tangible results. In order to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, he said, “Political conditions are extremely bad.”

He made the joke, “Even after war, if negotiations fail, then it will all come down to judo karate,” in reference to the next steps.

“Everyone there prays for Pakistan’s betterment,” Sheikh Rasheed, who had returned from Saudi Arabia, said. He emphasized the necessity for the nation’s circumstances to improve and stabilize.

Assad Qaiser, a former speaker and PTI leader, had earlier called on Speaker Ayaz Sadiq of the National Assembly to discuss the official start of talks with the government.

The two leaders shared their opinions on bringing parties together on matters of national importance and reducing political tensions and conflict.

“I will persuade my people, you persuade the hardliners in your party,” Ayaz Sadiq said to Assad Qaiser.

The party’s founder is in jail, and the PTI leadership has asked to meet with him. “We will continue to confer with him,” Assad Qaiser declared.

Earlier, PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai stated that if the discussions don’t begin, a campaign of civil disobedience will begin on December 14.

Speaking to the media Regarding the meetings, Yousafzai claimed that the government ministers were making insincere remarks.

Latest News

Bushra Bibi maintains bail as the IHC concludes the FIA’s petition.

Published

2 weeks ago

Farwa

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) conducted a hearing about the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) plea for the revocation of Bushra Bibi’s bail.

The court, led by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, rejected the FIA’s petition during the hearing.

Judicial Proceedings

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb sought information regarding Bushra Bibi’s location, to which her attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, affirmed her attendance in court.

The judge urged the counsel to regard the matters with gravity, underscoring the necessity of adherence to trial protocols.

The court sought details about instances where Bushra Bibi had been exempted from attending trial hearings and clarified that if the High Court grants bail and the accused fails to appear, the trial court holds the authority to cancel the bail.

Justice Aurangzeb assured that such actions would not amount to contempt of the High Court’s order.

Based on these considerations, the court closed the proceedings and dismissed the FIA’s plea.