I want to draw the attention of Election Commission of Pakistan on issue related to the collection of hide and funds from various political and religious-political parties and their uses.
The ECP has limited the expense for election campaign but still they have to put some restriction for the conduction of free and fair elections. My point is that almost all political parties, except a few have collected hides and funds from the public and generated funds for their sister welfare organizations every year. It would be better if these political parties work for the welfare of the people through their political activities rather than establishing their own welfare organizations. If they genuinely want to work for the well-being of humanity and for the cause to help the poor and needy, then their political activities have to show their determination towards this cause. But we have seen nothing from them in the political arena. They are only interested in gaining political support and public sympathy through their welfare work.
It is now the duty of the ECP to investigate whether it is only a welfare work or a spending to influence elections by buying voters under the banners of welfare organization. Firstly, the ECP has to keep an eye on the funds regarding welfare work of political parties and their spending. Secondly, the ECP has to centralise this welfare work and establish a joint welfare organization with the co-ordination of all stakeholders under the supervision of chairman ECP.
S M SHUJA HAIDER
Karachi
