PESHAWAR, Sept 8: A leader of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) and member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from PK-90, Chitral-II, Ghulam Mohammad has expressed anguish over the

reports that his assembly membership was suspended, saying that some of his political opponents had started a baseless campaign against him.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club the other day, the MPA said that following a petition submitted by his political opponent the election tribunal had fixed Sept 12 only for the recounting of rejected and postal ballots.

He said that there was no mention of total vote recount in the decision. Mr Ghulam was accompanied by his lawyers at the press conference.

“My political opponents are spreading rumours through media, and I have the right to sue them and the media persons for launching the baseless propaganda against me,” the MPA warned.

He said that the request for vote recount had been rejected by the election tribunal.

He said that the petitioner, Sardar Hussain, who was associated with Pakistan People’s Party, and certain other elements were involved in the propaganda. He said that the negative propaganda had caused damage to his status, reputation and mental agony to his family members and supporters.

“I have the right to sue them for compensation,” he said.

Mr Ghulam said that the election tribunal on Sept 2, 2013 had held that there was no justification for ordering vote recount of the entire constituency in PK-90, but as far as the rejected votes, postal ballot papers and three votes found in the ballot box for National Assembly candidates were concerned, these votes warranted examination and recount.

The MPA from Chitral, who had won the election with a margin of seven votes against his rival candidate, also shared the copy of the election tribunal decision with media persons present on the occasion.