Pakistan’s top election body summons CM of northwest province over ‘threatening remarks’

Pakistan’s top election body took notice on Thursday of what it described as “threatening remarks” by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi during a political rally in Havelian, a town in northern Pakistan.

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said the chief minister threatened local officials and incited the crowd during his speech.

According to the commission, Afridi’s comments targeted the district administration, police, and election staff ahead of the NA-18 Haripur by-election scheduled for November 23. It also reported that a fugitive criminal, whose wife is contesting the seat, was onstage with the chief minister during the rally.

The commission said Afridi’s conduct risked disrupting the by-election and endangered the safety of local officials, police, election workers, and voters.

In response, the commission instructed the Provincial Election Commissioner for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to immediately meet the province’s top bureaucrat, the chief secretary, and the inspector general of police. It directed them to implement additional security measures and submit a report.

The commission also issued formal summons and notices to Afridi and Shehrnaz Umar Ayub, a candidate in the by-election. It said both violated Pakistan’s Elections Act, 2017 and the Code of Conduct. They have been ordered to appear before the Commission on November 21.

The commission added that strict legal action would be taken against any public official or individual who tries to interfere with or disrupt the by-election. It also issued similar instructions to election authorities in Punjab province, telling them to act firmly against any officials attempting to influence upcoming by-elections there.

What Afridi said?

During the rally at Chamba Diwar Stop in Havelian, Afridi claimed that those who “tampered” with past election results would not be able to influence the upcoming vote. He told attendees that the public would soon see “something significant” in the country’s political landscape.

He said that when state institutions fail to fulfill their responsibilities, “governance collapses, justice becomes inaccessible, and democracy is strangled.”

Afridi also said he had met all legal requirements as an elected chief minister but was still denied a meeting with his party founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said the refusal left him with “only one path” forward, though he did not elaborate.