ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declared on Wednesday that it had yet to take a decision on the case pertaining to registration of the Milli Muslim League (MML).

In a statement, a spokesman for the ECP said that MML, which is said to be the political wing of Jamaatud Dawa, submitted an application for registration to the ECP on Aug 9 and the matter was still under consideration.

“The ECP is looking into the case and it has sought explanations from the interior ministry, whose reply has been received and will be considered,” the spokesman said.

No candidate contested recent by-election in Lahore on the Milli Muslim League ticket

He clarified that no candidate had contested the recent by-election for the NA-120 constituency in Lahore on the ticket of MML. “Sheikh Muhammad Yaqoob contested the by-election as an independent candidate and was given the symbol of energy saver in this capacity.”

The spokesman said the ECP would take a final decision after completing the hearing of the case in accordance with the law. “Right now no party with the name of Milli Muslim League is registered with the commission.”

While the ECP did not disclose the interior ministry’s recommendations, Geo News claimed that the ministry on the advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one intelligence agency had asked the ECP not to register the MML.

Quoting from what it claimed was an interior ministry’s letter to the ECP, the TV channel said that the MML, outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaatud Dawa and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation were linked to each other and had the same ideology.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2017