By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The interim government on Tuesday defied the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) orders to remove two top officials in the capital over charges of political meddling, citing security concerns ahead of the general elections in February.
The commission, which oversees the conduct of free and fair polls, had directed the Establishment Division, the federal agency that manages the civil service, to transfer the Islamabad police chief and the deputy commissioner in October, after complaints from several political parties that they could sway the vote in favor of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz).
But the caretaker administration, which took office in August, asked the commission to review its decisions, based on a report from the Interior Ministry that warned of terrorist threats in the city.
The Establishment Division secretary, Inamullah, who appeared before a five-member bench of the commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, said that the Interior Ministry had submitted a report from the Intelligence Bureau on the security situation and requested the commission to retain the two officers — police chief Akbar Nasir Khan and deputy commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon.
He also said that the prime minister had approved the replacements of both officers as per the commission’s instructions but sought its reconsideration.
Raja said that the commission would examine the Interior Ministry’s report and asked the secretary to propose a panel of candidates for both posts.
The commission is expected to announce its final decision on the issue on Wednesday.
Earlier, Raja had cautioned the government officials of serious consequences if they failed to perform their duties in the electoral process and exhibited “political bias,” saying that free, fair, and impartial elections were vital for a healthy democracy.
“There will be no tolerance for any kind of political bias among government employees, and immediate action will be taken if such complaints emerge,” Raja had said.
The commission had also sacked the prime minister’s adviser on establishment, Ahad Cheema, last week, and several ministers from the interim government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province in the northwest, over allegations that they were engaged in political activities.
Pakistan is set to hold general elections on Feb. 8, 2024, amid a tense political and security environment.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
