ECP rejects MML application for registration as political party

1
106

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday rejected the application of Milli Muslim League (MML) for registration as a political party with the election watchdog.

A four-member bench of ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Sardar Raza Khan had earlier reserved its verdict in the case pertaining to the registration of Milli Muslim League (MML), the political front of the Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), as a political party.

Later in the day, the ECP issued a short order rejecting the MML’s application.

During the hearing, MML chief Saifullah Khalid’s counsel argued that his client had the right to register the political party. He added that no office-bearer of the party had been nominated in any case.

Regarding the Interior Ministry’s opposition to the registration of MML as a political party, the MML’s counsel argued that the ministry had not provided any proof along with its letter. He added that the constitution of MML was in conformity with the constitution of Pakistan. The counsel said that as per the party constitution, no terrorist can hold a position in the party.

The Interior Ministry in September had objected to the candidature of Milli Muslim League nominee Mohammad Yaqoob Sheikh in NA-120 by-election. The ministry had conveyed its objection to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) through a letter, claiming that Yaqoob is affiliated with the Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and his party got itself registered under a new name to contest the election.

The JuD has been under scrutiny after the ministry listed in the Second Schedule of the ATA 1997 in January 2017.

Yaqoob had contested the NA-120 by-election on the electoral symbol ‘energy saver’, bagging 5,822 votes and losing to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Kulsoom Nawaz.

 

1 COMMENT

  1. WOW Great….!!
    Terrorists are forming their political parties, a unique trend to survive and flourish in a country like Pakistan.

Comments are closed.