Khyber Pakhtunkhawa

ECP disqualifies KPK Minister Shah Muhammad Khan on accusations of pre-poll violence & rigging in LG polls

ISLAMABAD, Feb 01 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified the Minister of Transport Shah Muhammad Khan for 5 years and denotified him from being an MPA, while barring his son from contesting elections in the future who was a LG candidate for disturbing law and order situation during local bodies election in Baka Khel area of Bannu district.

Accusations of pre-poll violence and rigging in local government elections were leveled against Shah Muhammad Khan, his son and others in the case.

According to the ECP verdict in view of all above investigation mad eby DPO, geo-fencing and CDR data and the inquiry conducted by the Committee, we observe that Shah Muhammad Khan, MPA/Provincial Minister for Transport being a public office holder, along with other accused, was involved in the above-mentioned incidents of attacking the polling stations, abduction/kidnapping of polling staff, snatching election material, harassing and threatening to polling staff and other investigation agencies, etc and have committed corrupt practices. Therefore, in exercise of powers under Article 218(3) of the Constitution read with sections 3,4 and 8 (c)of the Elections Act, 2017, and deriving strength from the judgment of the august Supreme Court supra, we hold and direct as under:-

  1. Mr Shah Muhammad Khan is disqualified to hold any public office for a period of five years, upon the announcement of this order. Therefore, he be de-notified as Member of the Provincial Assembly KPK, accordingly;
  2. Mr Mamoon Rasheed, who was a contesting candidate from the Constituency is barred from contesting any election on account of involvement in this corrupt practices, till finalization of criminal proceedings against him;
  3. The Provincial Election Commissioner, KPK is directed to file complaints of corrupt practices against Shah Muhammad Khan, MPA/Provincial Minister Transport KPK, his son Mamoon Rasheed, Mr. Gul Baz Khan, Mr. Mohabat Khan and Mr. Qudrat Ullah, under the relevant provisions of the Election Act, 2017, and the Pakistan Penal Code;
  4. Disciplinary proceedings also be initiated against Mr. Mohabat Khan, Assistant Presiding Officer and Hameed Ullah alias Qudrat Ullah;
  5. The Police is directed to investigate the case by all angels and arrest the remaining accused and make all best efforts for better and effective criminal proceedings of the cases/FIRs registered in this matter to punish the accused involved in these crimes.

It merits mention here that the polling process in Baka Khel tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu District was halted during local bodies elections after the security situation got out of control in the tehsil.