–Election watchdog clears cases against Imran Khan, Pervaiz Khattak, Ayaz Sadiq and Fazlur Rehman after they submitted written apologies
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday dropped charges against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Pervez Khattak for using foul language during their election campaigns.
The verdicts were announced by a four-member ECP bench headed by the chief election commissioner. The commission warned the politicians not to use inappropriate language in future.
Earlier on Thursday, Ayaz Sadiq and Pervez Khattak had tendered their separate apologies to the ECP. An apology by Fazlur Rehman was already submitted to the ECP.
The electoral body had issued notices to Sadiq, Fazl and Khattak in July, deploring the “abusive, insolent and derogatory” language used against other leaders that had been aired and published by the electronic and print media. Moreover, it had been making rounds on social media as well.
In addition to that, it was also pointed out that this was a clear violation of the code of conduct issued by ECP and asked the three political leaders to desist from using such language and summoned them to appear before it.
Sadiq’s Lawyer Kamran Murtaza submitted an apology on behalf of the ex-NA speaker.
Before the bench reserved its verdict on the matter, a clip was also played of both the PTI and PML-N leaders allegedly using derogatory language against their opponents.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan was served a notice after he termed those going to welcome deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif on his arrival from London “donkeys”. Khan had submitted an apology last month.