PM’s visit ‘official’, Bangash clarifies after ECP warning

PESHAWAR: Amidst criticism from the Election Commission of Pakistan, Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Information and Higher Education Kamran Khan Bangash clarified on Wednesday that Prime Minister’s visit to Peshawar was official and in no way aimed at influencing the local bodies elections.

The electoral body had earlier warned the premier against flouting its code of conduct.

Referring to ECP’s notice on Imran’s visit to Peshawar ahead of the local bodies elections, Bangash said that the visit was part of the day-to-day affairs of the state and there were no restrictions on it.

He further stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan would only attend an official function at the Governor House, apart from which he would not attend any election or public gathering in Peshawar.

Bangash said that ECP was a constitutional body and was profoundly respected.

In a letter to the premier, ECP had reminded Imran that the president, prime minister, governors and other public office holders are not allowed to announce any development schemes after the announcement of the local bodies election schedule.

The electoral body further stated that legal action under Sections 233 and 234 of the Election Act will be taken against those violating the code of conduct.

Prime Minister Imran Khan is visiting Peshawar to launch the Micro Health Insurance Programme.

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Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) demanded ECP take notice of a controversial statement of the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur regarding the non-release of funds to the local bodies in the K-P.

“If our opponents win, they will not be allowed to enter the government office or get funds because the minister for local government bodies is my brother,” Gandapur reportedly said in an election rally.

Central Information Secretary of the PPPP, Shazia Marri alleged that Gandpur had threatened not to release funds for local bodies’ institutes if Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s rivals win local bodies’ elections.

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Marri said the KP provincial government was trying to influence the upcoming local bodies elections because it was at the helm of affairs in the province, adding that it would be the worst kind of example of interfering in the process of free and fair elections.