Election officials were abducted on the orders of Punjab government

Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar has said that the press release of Election Commission of Pakistan regarding election in Daska is a charge-sheet against the Punjab government and the administration and the cases of abduction of presiding officers should be registered against both of them.

Senator Khokhar in a statement said that free hand was given to ministers, advisors and armed men on the polling day. The election staff was abducted under the patronage of administration and police. He said that government officials should refuse to obey the illegal and unconstitutional orders. He appreciated the Chief Election Commissioner for standing by his officers and staff.

In a separate statement, Secretary General Pakistan People’s Party, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari has asked the ECP to take notice of press conference of Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar and Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh because this press conference amounts to pre-poll rigging in the upcoming Senate elections. Governor Punjab is using his position illegally to influence the Senate elections. It is violation of election rules that after the announcement of election schedule the Governor is holding a press conference with a candidate. It is the duty of the ECP to hold free, fair and transparent elections.