Gandapur moves PHC against ECP’s notice on declaration of assets

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has moved the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to challenge the issuance of a notice to him by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) about his assets.

He filed the writ petition through his lawyer Syed Sikandar Hayat Shah Advocate. The ECP was made a respondent in the petition. The petition said Ali Amin Gandapur contested the last general election from provincial assembly constituency PK-113 and was elected Member Provincial Assembly and he was now serving as the chief minister of the province. It said the ECP had issued him a notice about his assets.

His lawyer said his client had submitted all the details about his assets along with the nomination papers at the time of contesting the election. He said the chief minister had declared his assets in the nomination papers, adding that all the details were thoroughly checked by the returning officer and he was allowed to contest the election. The lawyer said the election had already taken place and Ali Amin Gandapur had been elected and was now serving as the chief minister.

Questioning the issuance of the notice, the lawyer said the ECP was not authorized to issue the notice, adding the action was based on malafide intention. He said that if somebody had any grievance against his client, he could move the election tribunal.

The lawyer said the ECP had summoned the chief minister, which was against its mandate under the rules. He said the ECP was supposed to conduct the election and not harass the elected public representatives.

The lawyer said the workers and leaders of a certain political party were being harassed and problems being created for them, which was illegal and unconstitutional. The petition argued the ECP had notified all the lawmakers after which the electoral body had no right to take action against them. The lawyer requested the court to suspend the ECP’s notification till a final decision on the petition.