ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan has rejected the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) petition against Prime Minister Imran Khan over granting of development funds to members of the National Assembly.
PPP counsel Nayyar Hussain Bukhari had filed a plea against the Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding corrupt practices in the Senate election. The three-member ECP bench headed by Irshad Qaiser heard the petition.
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Bukhari argued that PM Khan met lawmakers after the announcement of the Senate election schedule. He said the PM violated Section 181 of the Election Act. PM Imran Khan had also “insulted” the ECP, added Bukhari.
He told the ECP bench that NA members used to cast votes for electing senators and a corrupt practice was made by the issuance of development funds to the members.
Bukhari said four PTI members of National Assembly confessed to take funds during a TV programme so the ECP should send notices to these four lawmakers and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The code of conduct does not mention the release of funds by the Prime Minister, the bench said.
Bukhari said PM Khan had assured senators he would give them Rs 500 million of development funds.
An ECP member from Balochistan said that the code of conduct mentions only the President and governors, not the Prime Minister.
After hearing the arguments, the ECP bench announced its verdict and dismissed the petition filed by PPP.
