ECP summons top officials as SAPM stays put

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday summoned the secretary Cabinet Division and secretary to PM on December 26 for non-compliance of its order, concerning the removal of Adviser to PM on Establishment Division Ahad Cheema.

The ECP Secretary, Omar Hamid Khan, has written to the secretary Cabinet Division and drawn his attention to the commission’s orders of December 19, 2023, whereby it was conveyed that a compliance report for implementation of its orders regarding removal of Ahmad Cheema, adviser to PM on Establishment Division, may be forwarded immediately.

“However, no compliance report has been intimated. The honourable Election Commission has taken a serious note of the matter and has fixed the case for hearing on December 26 at 10:00am. It is intimated that the matter has been fixed for regular hearing before the Election Commission if the required action for removal of Mr Cheema is not taken by then. The secretary to PM and the secretary Cabinet Division shall appear in person before the Election Commission on Dec 26,” reads the letter.

In another letter written to the secretary Establishment Division, the ECP secretary has referred to the letters written on August 17 and October 20, 2023 for replacement of the IGP and deputy commissioner, Islamabad. He said so far neither any action had been taken nor any request had been made to review the ECP order if there were any cogent reasons.

“It is, therefore, desired that a report on the matter be forwarded to this commission immediately. The case has been fixed for hearing on December 26, and you are required to appear in person before the commission to explain the reason for non-compliance of the orders,” the letter says.