ECP rejects replies in foul language case

–Poll body orders holding back PTI leader Pervez Khattak’s election result till verdict of the case

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday associated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Pervez Khattak’s election result with the verdict of a case against him for using foul language in public speeches, as the polls watchdog rejected the replies filed by three political leaders, including Khattak.

The ECP directed the authorities concerned to not issue notifications of success to Khattak if he won the election, and rejected his reply along with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq’s response.

“The notification will be issued after clearance from ECP,” the commission maintained.

A four-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) was hearing the cases.

Babar Awan represented Pervez Khattak at the hearing as his legal counsel. The chief election commissioner instructed Khattak to submit a sworn affidavit to ensure he does not use using foul language in the future. The ECP said that “the election results are contingent on the decision of this hearing”.

Speaking with Ayaz Sadiq’s counsel, the chief election commissioner remarked that “you should be ashamed at your client’s words,” asked why Sadiq had used such language as he was the former speaker of the National Assembly.

Sadiq’s counsel assured the electoral body bench that the code of conduct will be followed in the future.

Fazlur Rehman’s counsel, Kamran Murtuza, could not appear before the bench and his assistant informed the commission that Kamran received the notice late, hence could not appear in time for the hearing.

“Why do PTI leaders bring forward Babar Awan after committing such shameful acts?” asked ECP.

The commission had sent notices earlier to the former KP CM, PML-N leader Sadiq and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) leader Fazlur Rehman for allegedly using indecent language during their election campaigns.

Earlier on Thursday, the ECP barred PTI Chairman Imran Khan from using inappropriate language for his political rivals during election campaigning — a practice that Khan’s lawyer initially seemed to defend but eventually relented, assuring the election watchdog that his client would abide by its instructions.

On July 12, the eve of convicted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz’s return to Pakistan to surrender themselves to the authorities, Imran Khan had said that whoever goes to receive the Sharifs at the airport “must be a donkey”.

The ECP had taken notice of Khan’s incendiary choice of words and directed him to appear before the commission on Thursday.

Khan did not appear before the ECP but his lawyer and PTI leader Babar Awan had attended the hearing on his behalf.

When told by the commission that Khan had used an inappropriate word for the workers of a party, Awan defended the word’s usage, saying: “Donkey is an ordinary word; even teachers use that word here.”