ECP summons KP CM Gandapur in disqualification case

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to appear before the district election commissioner on March 26 regarding a disqualification case.

In its order issued on Tuesday, the electoral body stated that preliminary arguments have been heard and need further consideration on merits. Notice will be served to respondent No. 5 (Ali Amin Gandapur) for the specified date through the relevant district election commissioner.

The service report from the district election commissioner must reach the Election Commission's office before the scheduled date. The case is set to be heard on March 26, 2024.

This decision followed shortly after Gandapur demanded a plan of action within a month to recover the province’s arrears from the Centre. He instructed provincial authorities to engage legal experts to address the issue with the federal government.

The ECP's order stems from a petition filed by JUI leader Muhammad Kafeel, seeking Gandapur's disqualification as an elected MPA from PK-113 in Dera Ismail Khan.

The petitioner argued that 735 kanals of land in Mouzah Girah Muhabbat and Mouzah Rohri, Tehsil Kulachi, district DI Khan, were temporarily transferred to the KP chief minister, while Asif Khan was the rightful owner. It claimed that Gandapur was the apparent owner, while Asif Khan was the actual owner of the property.