ISLAMABAD – The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) of former president Pervez Musharraf was shocked on Monday when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) turned down the party’s request to use the image of an “Eagle” as its election symbol.
A reliable source in the ECP told Pakistan Today on Monday that the ECP secretary had rejected the APML request, as the symbol had already been allotted to a political party. Interestingly, the APML has been running its campaign using the eagle symbol, which is part of the party’s flag as well.
While launching his party, General Musharraf had said that eagle was his party’s symbol “because it flies high and flies alone.” Some leaders of the APML criticised General Musharraf’s cronies, including Barrister Saif and Maj General (r) Rashid Qureshi, who could not check for the desired symbol before the party’s launch.
Sources said the Eagle symbol was allotted to a political party enlisted under the name of Freedom Party. An ECP official wishing not be named confirmed that the APML request had been turned down. “A letter has been dispatched to the APML in this regard,” he added.
