PESHAWAR: Provincial Minister for Information Shah Farman has accused entities of federal government of violating code of conduct issued by Election Commission of Pakistan in NA-4 by elections.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he minister asked ECP and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to take notice of violation of code of conduct and misuse of public funds in the upcoming by polls in NA-4 Peshawar. He blamed PML-N for pre-poll rigging.

The seat was declared vacant after the death of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s dissident MNA Gulzar Khan, who passed away on August 28. PML-N, PPP, ANP, JUI-F and other parties are contesting elections in NA-4. PTI has yet to announce candidate for the polls.

The minister said that PTI received six applications from candidates.

He said that the party would nominate candidate for the seat during a meeting in Islamabad on Monday. PTI chairman Imran Khan will chair the meeting. ECP has fixed October 26 for polling.

Mr Farman said that Wapda had started distribution of transformers, poles and other material in the constituency.

Minister asks ECP, NAB to take notice of matter

He said that Sui Northern Gas Company had relaxed ban on provision of new connections and started providing connections in five union councils.

The minister said that provincial government had released funds to Wapda in June 2016 for transformers and provision of electricity in rural areas of the province including Peshawar district, but Wapda did not start work. Similarly, he said SNGPL had placed ban on new connections since 2009.

Under an agreement, Mr Farman said, the government was bound to provide gas connections in five union councils of Koh Daman, but the company did not start work on the pretext of moratorium by the federal government.

He said that with the announcement of schedule for by-polls, Wapda and SNGPL moved to NA-4 and started activities there.

He said that Wapda had purchased transformers and other required material from funds released by the provincial government.

Mr Farman said that Wapda and SNGPL were violating code of conduct by starting activities ahead of polls.

He urged ECP to assert itself and restrict federal government from violation of code of conduct.

He said that PML-N candidate was also member of the board of directors of Peshawar Electric Supply Company.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2017