LAHORE: The Milli Muslim League (MML) has accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of using delaying tactics in registering the outfit as a political party.

“The Election Commission is using delaying tactics regarding enlisting of MML as a political part as per law,” outfit’s President Saifullah Khalid said in a statement here on Sunday.

The ECP action, he said, was in violation of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict that forwarded the MML application to the ECP for enlisting it as a political entity but the top election watchdog is yet to comply with the orders.

It may be mentioned that the interior ministry had opposed enlisting of the MML as a political party arguing it’s an offshoot of the Jamaatud Dawa, Hafiz Saeed-led entity banned under a UN resolution.

Mr Khalid said the basic law of the country gives them the right to take part in political process and the ECP couldn’t deny them this fundamental right.

He said despite all odds MML candidates would contest from all constituencies in the upcoming elections.

“We have decided to assemble people, forge unity among them and create an atmosphere of harmony. We have to serve the country and the nation, protect its ideological and geographical borders and reform its political system. We have to take the nation out of the environment of lingual, provincial and territorial differences.”

He claimed that the MML is creating an environment of unity, love, tolerance, selflessness, sacrifice and mutual understanding.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018