The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has firmly dismissed allegations of ECP bias raised by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. The commission described his accusations as baseless and intended to mislead the public.
An ECP spokesperson clarified that an anti-terrorism court had convicted Senator Ejaz Chaudhry along with MNAs Ahmad Chattha and Ahmad Khan Bhachar. The spokesperson stressed that the convictions of these PTI leaders still stand. No court has overturned the verdicts delivered against them, the official added.
Regarding the case of MNA Abdul Latif Chitrali, the commission explained that the situation is different. Chitrali himself did not file an appeal in the Islamabad High Court. However, his co-accused did, and the High Court set aside the anti-terrorism court’s verdict for those individuals. Since Chitrali was not part of that appeal, the ECP issued him a notice. He has been asked to assist the commission in deciding whether the same legal relief applies to him.
Earlier, Barrister Gohar posted on X (formerly Twitter) accusing the ECP of partiality. He claimed that the de-notification of Ahmad Chattha and Ahmad Khan Bhachar under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution proves discriminatory treatment. Gohar warned that democracy itself was at risk if what he called the ECP’s prejudice continued.
The commission once again underscored that all its actions are taken in strict conformity with the Constitution and the law. The ECP reiterated that there is no favoritism in its decisions and that accusations of ECP bias are unfounded.
