Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif’s current election campaign is fast shaping into young boy’s dream of flashy equipment and sophisticated gadgets.
In a latest acquisition, the PML-N chief hired a helicopter for his electoral campaign.
The chopper would move towards Lahore after passing through the testing process of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) while two Pakistani pilots and an Egyptian technician are among the entourage of the industrial magnate. The chopper will fly between multiple cities, including Karachi, Sukkur, Multan and Lahore.
The years of exile in Saudi Arabia also seem to have proved fruitful for the PML-N chief as there are reports that Nawaz would soon be “gifted” 20 bullet-proof vehicles by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to run his election campaign.
According to media reports, sources in the Interior Ministry said that the ministry had granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the PML-N for the ‘import’ of 20 bullet-proof vehicles gifted by the Saudi Kingdom to the party leadership. Five vehicles would be used by the Sharif family and 15 others would be in the use of the party leadership.
The sources said that initially the Interior Ministry took the case of 20 vehicles as a contribution/donation by a foreign government to the political party. Election laws strictly forbid such ‘donations’.
However, the party insisted to treat the matter as a ‘gift’ by the Saudi authorities and pressurised the ministry into granting the NOC.
However, the ultimate decision was left to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to decide whether it could be considered as a ‘gift’.
The Pakistan Election Laws and The Political Parties Order, 2002 state, “The contribution made by members or supporters of any party shall be duly recorded by the political parties. Any contribution made, directly or indirectly, by any foreign government, multi-national or domestically incorporated public or private company, firm, trade or professional association shall be prohibited and the parties may accept contributions and donations only from individuals. Any contribution or donation which is prohibited under this Order shall be confiscated in favour of the State in the manner as may be prescribed.”
Laws further state that a “contribution or donation” includes a contribution or donation made in cash, kind, stocks, hospitality, accommodation, transport, fuel and provision of other such facilities.