Sheikh Rashid urges CJP to take notice of NA-60 election postponement

RAWALPINDI: Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed expressed disappointment over the postponement of general election in his constituency after the disqualification of rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Hanif Abbasi.

Addressing a press conference, Rashid called on Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar to take notice of the postponement of the elections in NA-60 Rawalpindi.

Calling it a black day in the history of Pakistan, Rashid said that he would appeal in the high court against the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He decried the discretionary use of powers by the ECP as unconstitutional, and said he was not even provided a copy of the decision and was instead told he would receive it on Monday when he visited the commission’s regional office.

He said the commission misused the Election Act 2017, and elections can only be postponed in case of the death of a candidate, and now the commission would now be answerable to the court.

He further said that he was fully prepared for the elections and no power can constitutionally stop the elections. He hoped that commission would use the constitutional route.

The ECP has postponed election in the wake of Hanif Abbasi’s conviction in the ephedrine case. The commission stated that the election process has reached the final stage as the printing of ballot papers has also been completed and new arrangements could not be made within a few days.

The commission also said the disqualification of the PML-N candidate triggered a storm of criticism over the provision of level playing field in the polls.

On Saturday, the Control of Narcotics Substances (CNS) Court in Rawalpindi sentenced Abbasi to life imprisonment in the case related to misuse of controlled chemical ephedrine.