ECP issues notice to Ali Amin Gandapur on disqualification request
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notice to Ali Amin Gandapur, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on disqualification petition after it approved the application against Gandapur for hearing.
A petitoner Muhammad Kafeel filed an application in the Election Commission and accused Gandapur of concealing assets.
The hearing on the application against Ali Amin Gandapur will be held on March 26.
The petitioner blamed that Ali Amin Gandapur has misstated about 735 kanals of land in his tax returns of the year 2020.
Ali Amin showed the purchase of a vehicle by selling 735 kanals, the petitioner said.
According to the details, the election watchdog also directed the chief minister to appear before the District Election Commissioner on March 26.
A two-member ECP bench issued a short order on the plea, maintaining that Ali Amin Gandapur did not submit his assets before the election watchdog
In the plea, it was contended that Ali Amin Gandapur had got 735 kanals of land in Dera Ismail Khan transferred in his name unlawfully.
The disqualification plea read that the chief minister KP is not eligible to hold public office. “Ali Amin Gandapur should be disqualified and de-seated as a member of the KP Assembly for submitting a false statement,” the plea maintained.
Earlier on March 7, a session court on Thursday nullified the trial court verdict that declared Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur fugitive in a liquor case
As per details, session judge Shahrukh Arjumand heard the plea filed by Gandapur’s counsel Raja Zahoor ul Hasan.
After the completion of the lawyer’s arguments, the court declared the trial court verdict null and void.
The plea further urged the court to exempt CM Ali Amin Gandapur from court appearance because of his official commitments.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur has called for the dismissal of the current chief secretary of the province Nadeem Afzal Chaudhry.
Gandapur has formally requested the Shehbaz Sharif-led government to replace Chaudhry with Shahab Ali Shah in this position. Gandapur believes that Shah’s appointment would inject new perspectives and innovative strategies into the role, ultimately aiding in the province’s development.
This move reflects Gandapur’s dedication to ensuring efficient governance and administration in KP. While the decision regarding the removal of KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akhtar Hayyat is pending, Hayyat will continue his duties for the time being.
In a separate development, the KP government has decided to address the issue of outstanding finances owed to the province by the federal government.
A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Gandapur discussed the financial matters concerning the province’s dealings with the federal government. Gandapur instructed relevant officials to formulate a plan of action to address these financial concerns with the federal authorities, emphasizing the importance of completing the necessary paperwork for effective negotiation.
