February 10, 2008	Sunday	Safar 02, 1429

PESHAWAR, Feb 9: The Election Commission has asked the caretaker NWFP government to take action against a provincial minister for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct.

The EC, through a letter dated Feb 4, advised the Frontier government to take appropriate action in a complaint received from Dr Zakirullah Khan, a candidate for PF-97 seat (Lower Dir), against provincial Irrigation and Social Welfare Minister Bakhat Baidar Khan, sources said.

Dr Zakirullah in his complaint sent to the Election Commission on Jan 29 had accused the minister of interfering in the electoral process to muster support for his brother Mohammad Ishaq.

Mr Ishaq, who had lost the seat in the 2002 general election to Dr Zakirullah, is in the run for the same seat on the PPP-S ticket. His brother Bakhat Baidar is also the provincial additional general secretary of the PPP-S.

On a complaint by Dr Zakirullah, who is contesting the election on the PPP ticket, the returning officer for the PF-97 constituency had recently barred Bakhat Baidar from inaugurating development projects and making any announcement to this effect till Feb 18, the polling day.

Dr Zakirullah in his Jan 29 communication complained that the minister was still violating the code of conduct for the polls. According to him, work on development projects inaugurated by the minister was in progress, which was violation of the status quo order issued by the returning officer.