PM fined Rs50,000 for holding a rally in Lower Dir

Prime Minister Imran Khan fined Rs50,000 for violating the elections code of conduct and holding a rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lower Dir. 

The fine imposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). District Monitoring Officer has ordered the prime minister to submit the fine by March 22. 

KP governor and chief minister, federal ministers Asad Umar. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Murad Saeed, Pervaiz Khattak and PTI’s candidate from Lower Dir also fined Rs50,000. 

In its verdict, the ECP said state’s resources used to hold the gathering which could influence polls’ result. 

The second phase of KP local bodies election will held March 31. 

Under the code of conduct, all Parliament members are allow to take part in electoral campaign. But those who currently hold public offices are restricted. 

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On March 11, the ECP issued notices to the prime minister and other PTI leaders and asked them to appear in person or through counsel. 

The commission issued separate notices to the prime minister and other PTI leaders for holding another gathering in Swat. 

However, the prime minister filed an application in the Islamabad High Court against the notice. 

The application said the commission’s order restricting participation in election campaign is against the law. After the Election Act Amendment Ordinance, the commission cannot bar public officer holders from participating in election campaigns. 

The prime minister requested the court to set aside the notice by the commission. 

The government through an ordinance had amended the election code of conduct last month paving the way for ministers and parliamentarians to run election campaigns of their party’s candidates.