February 17, 2008	Sunday	Safar 09, 1429

SAHIWAL, Feb 16: Additional District and Sessions Judge Rai Muhammad Ayub Khan Marth, who is the returning officer for NA-161, has issued warrants for the arrest of District Public Safety and Police Complaint Commission chairperson Ms Nabeela Khan for campaigning for the PML-Q candidates from NA-161 and PP-221.

The provincial election commissioner, Lahore had ordered an inquiry against Ms Nabeela on charges of abusing her authority in public office in favour of PML-Q’s Naurez Shakoor and Rana Aftab contesting the election from NA-160 and PP-222, respectively.

The district public safety and police complaint commissions were developed in each district under the Police Order 2002. An eight-member executive council runs it for a term of four years. This is an independent, non-political and public body to check police highhandedness. But under the new chairperson, it allegedly started functioning on a political basis, mostly in the favour of the district nazim and the PML-Q candidates. Just a couple of days ago, the commission chairperson conducted a press conference at her office and declared support for Naurez Shakoor and Rana Aftab in the election.

Some civil society activists, however, pointed out irregularities to the chief election commissioner who immediately asked the chief secretary and the AD&SJ to look into the matter. The judge summoned Ms Nabeela for explanation and, on her refusal, issued warrants for her arrest.—SHAFIQ BUTT