ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to act against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for what it termed the “establishment of a militant wing”.

Last week, while the PTI was still plotting a strategy for its much-touted march on Raiwind, the media reported that an informal force called the Janisar-e-Nawaz Sharif had been raised, ostensibly to counter any attempts by protesters to march towards the prime minister’s residence at Jati Umra.

A letter has been sent to the chief election commissioner by PTI Central Deputy Secretary General Farrukh Habib, which states that all citizens of Pakistan are obligated to abide by the laws of the land.

“It is remorsefully noted that after the announcement of a peaceful protest over the Panama Papers leaks by PTI Chairman Imran Khan... the ruling PML-N started acting in [a completely] illegal, non-political and immoral manner and... created a militant force by the name of Janisar-e-Nawaz Sharif and started recruitment and training of its members to forcefully [prevent] the PTI from [its] peaceful protest.”

PML-N, ANP, MQM, PML-Q put on notice for not holding intra-party elections

Referring to media reports, he alleged that members of this force had been recruited on the instructions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, adding that Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali and Punjab government spokesperson Zaeem Qadri, along with others, were “leading this criminal activity on [the prime minister’s] behest”.

The letter also claims that these people were “being trained in different parts of Punjab”.

“It is submitted with emphasis that the creation of [a] militant wing in PML-N amounts to undermining [the] sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan and also undermines public order and morality. [By] creating [a militant wing] the PML-N has violated the mandatory provisions of the Political Parties Order 2002, as well as Article 256 of the Constitution,” the letter stated.

“This force has been established to target and promote hatred and animosity specifically against PTI and its members. You are here by requested to initiate legal action as per law. A prompt and firm action in this regard is awaited,” the letter concludes.

It is worth noting that although the raising of the Janisar-e-Nawaz Sharif was covered extensively by the electronic media, no formal announcement in this regard was made by any PML-N office-bearers.

“Let the Election Commission examine the facts and give its verdict,” PML-N leader Siddiqul Farooq told Dawn. He said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had, in a formal statement, directed all party workers and office bearers to remain peaceful. Mr Farooq assured the PTI that the government would provide full protection to participants

“I am confident that the applicant will withdraw his petition, or it will be disposed of by the ECP,” he concluded.

Intra-party elections

Meanwhile on Thursday, the ECP issued notices to 35 political parties, including the PML-N, Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP) and PML-Q for failing to meet two key legal requirements to qualify for election symbols in any electoral exercise.

Political parties are required to submit their statements of accounts as per the provisions of section 13 of the Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002, and to forward a certificate proving they have conducted intra-party elections in compliance with section 12 of PPO 2002. The last date for submission of statements of accounts for political parties is Aug 29 each year.

A notice was issued by the ECP on Sept 1, followed by a reminder issued through the media on Sept 8, informing all those political parties who had not submitted their annual statement of party accounts, or conducted intra-party elections. A list of all such political parties was also posted on the ECP website.

The notice issued on Thursday reads: “It has been seriously noted that your party has still not complied with the law and has neither submitted statement of accounts nor certificate regarding conduct of intra-party election. You are therefore directed to kindly submit statement of your party account and certificate regarding conduct of intra-party election immediately. In case of failure, respective party symbols will not be allocated to your candidates.”

According to records, PML-N’s last intra-party elections were held on Jun 27, 2011 to elect office-bearers for a term of three years. Therefore, fresh elections have been due for well over two years now.

The MQM last elected its office-bearers for a four-year term on Jun 21, 2012, and fresh elections were due on June 21 of this year.

ANP’s last intra-party elections were held on Nov 30, 2011 and the term of the elected office bearers was four years, which expired on November 30, 2015.

PML-Q was due to hold such an exercise at least a year before the general elections, but was allowed to contest the general polls in violation of the rules. The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), which organised the last such elections in June 2011, and the three-year term of its office bearers expired in June 2012. However, they were also allowed to contest the 2013 polls.

For the BNP-Awami, intra-party elections were due before Feb 18, 2016, while the two factions of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), led by Maulana Fazlur Rahman and Maulana Samiul Haq, were supposed to hold similar exercises in November and December of last year, respectively.

The Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUP) was also supposed to hold polls before Mar 27 this year.

The All-Pakistan Muslim League (APML) of retired Gen Pervez Musharraf failed to hold elections before the designated date of March 31, 2015.

Other political parties which have not organised fresh intra-party elections after the expiry of the terms of their office-bearers include the Mir Hasil Bizenjo-led National Party (NP), Tahirul Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT), Mehmood Khan Achakzai’s Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), the Balochistan National Movement (BNM) and PML-Zia.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2016