PM did not violate laws during Ghotki visit, Imran Khan’s counsel tells ECP

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan submitted on Thursday his reply to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding his visit to Ghotki.

According to Clause B-17 of the Election Code of Ethics, no member of parliament can visit a constituency where the dates of by-elections have been notified. PM's counsel Babar Awan submitted the reply and stated the PM had not violated any laws by visiting Ghotki, local media reported.

Awan further said that the code of conduct of the ECP does not bar anyone from offering condolence. Awan said that the PM had visited Ghotki to condole the family of minister for narcotics control Ali Mohammad Mahar, who passed away on June 19.

The premier's counsel requested the ECP to withdraw the show-cause notice as the complaint by the candidate against the premier's visit to Ghotki was baseless. The premier's counsel said that the PM Khan holds the right to initiate legal actions against the person for registering a baseless statement.

The election commission had issued a show-cause notice to the premier for visiting Ghotki ahead of the NA-205 by-election. Pakistan Peoples Party’s Abdul Bari Pitafi had lodged a complaint and said that the premier had violated the ECP laws by visiting Ghotki.