ECP censures ‘independent’ candidate in NA- 120 by-poll
Muslim Milli League, a political party launched with much media fanfare on August 7, was intended to be a force for establishing an Islamic welfare state, but the bottom line was its sponsorship by the terror ‘under -watch’ Jamaatud Dawa, itself a screen for the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba, infamous for its alleged involvement in the Mumbai 2008 massacre, a charge vehemently denied by its founder, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, presently interned, who himself has the dubious distinction of a $10 million US bounty on his head. Aware of the adverse national implications, international sentiment and negative political fallout, the MML set up an ostensible independent candidate, Sheikh Mohammad Yaqub, in the high-profile NA- 120 by-election on September 17. The campaign was being brazenly run with posters and banners bearing the photo and logos of the JuD head, whereas the so called independent candidate had been allotted the election symbol of ‘energy saver’ by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The ECP may have many shortcomings in its functioning and is in fact a favourite whipping boy for defeated and disgruntled politicians of all stripes after every election, sometimes not entirely without reason. ECP Returning Officers are often in the line of fire, electoral complaints are dealt with in a leaden-footed manner and the Code of Conduct is seldom strictly enforced. But in the present context, it has rightly moved with alacrity and clarity by issuing a show -cause notice to the concerned candidate warning against the use of JuD insignia during corner meetings and rallies. Further, when even development work is banned in the constituency after announcement of election schedule, Yaqub supporters distributed sacrificial meat to ‘oppressed people’ of NA-120 during recent Eid holidays while JuD’s welfare wing, Falah-i-Insaniat, set up free medical camps for blatant political gain.
The ECP has neither registered nor does it recognise the MML as a legitimate political party, and similar vigorous treatment is desirable in the case of other wolves who would fain wrap themselves up in benign sheep hide. Bigotry, violence and extremist mindset must not flourish under different political nomenclature and garb.
