ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday summoned Home and Tribal Affairs Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ikramullah Khan over arrest of two independent candidates contesting from South Waziristan ahead of the upcoming elections in tribal areas.
The ECP has directed the secretary to appear before the commission in person at 11am on June 28.
The district administration had arrested Muhammad lqbal, who is contesting from PK-114, South Waziristan-1, and Muhammad Arif, who is contesting from PK-113, South Waziristan-1, were arrested earlier this month on June 24 and June 19 respectively under MPO for one month.
According to notice, the detained candidates are locked up in jails of Haripur and Dera Ismail Khan.
“The said act of the administration prior to conduct of election is tantamount to obstruct the election campaign and the constitutional duty of the Election Commission in respect of free, fair and transparent elections in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Constitution,” the notice said.
