ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday ignored the written apology of Railways Minister Azam Swati, directing him to appear before the commission in person to extend his apology.
After Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, Swati also tendered his apology to the ECP through his chief counsel, Barrister Ali Zafar. But while setting it aside, the ECP ordered him to appear before the commission in person for tendering his apology.
During the hearing, Barrister Zafar Ali read the apology note written by the railways minister. In his written statement, Sawti said that the government always tried to strengthen the ECP. “If I hurt somebody, I seek his forgiveness,” the railways minister stated.
ECP Sindh member Nisar Durrani objected to it, saying all institutions should respect each other.
“Where is Azam Swati himself?” asked Durrani to which Zafar responded that the minister had to suddenly leave for Quetta.
Durrani said that the commission is doing its job honestly. He said today the commission exempted the railways minister from attending the hearing, but summoned him to appear before it on December 22 in person.
The commission also reserved its verdict on Fawad Chaudhry’s written apology. The ECP Sindh member said that the commission would release a proper order on the information minister’s apology note.
The two ministers had criticised the ECP on September 10. During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Swati had accused the commission of “always” rigging polls and said that such institutions should be “set on fire”.
On September 16, the commission had issued notices to the two ministers, asking them to provide evidence within a week about the allegations of wrongdoing they had hurled at both the ECP and the chief election commissioner.
