PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad has apologised for leveling “serious allegations” against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
During the hearing at the Election Commission in Islamabad, the minister said that the statements are not his personal but it was his job as government mouthpiece. On this the election commission said that no minister can use “abusive language”. The minister refused abusing the ECP and said that he apologies for any embarrassment because of his statements. However, the ECP directed him to tender the apology in written.
The ECP had also directed Federal Railway Minister Muhammad Azam Swati to appear but his lawyer said that he could not appear due to Senate session. But the commissioner said that he is using the senate session as excuse and directed Swati to submit written apology before 3 December.
Talking to media after the hearing, Fawad Chaudhry said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government respects the judiciary and other state institutions. The said that the his explain his position and hope that the ECP will take a positive decision. He said that earlier, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had launched a campaign against Pakistan army and now the party is maligning judiciary.
He said that in the past, when the PML-N leaders were summoned, they had attacked the Supreme Court. He said that the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court has taken notice. On the issue of use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the next elections, the Information Minister said that joint session of parliament has been convened on the issue. He said, “EVM and electoral reform is not a personal agenda of PTI. It is a national agenda. We need reforms. We have to arrange transparent election.”
“We are passing the legislation on EVM tomorrow. Our allies are with us. We need reforms in all matters. We need to reforms elections system and media laws,” he said.