LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked the caretaker Punjab chief minister to probe into an allegation of stopping campaign convoy of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari from reaching Mazar Uch Sharif in Bahawalpur.

In a letter to the chief minister, the ECP asked holding of an immediate inquiry into the incident and share findings with the commission for further necessary action.

It was stated that Senator Sherry Rehman, leader of the opposition in the Senate, wrote to the ECP complaining about attempted prevention of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s campaign on July 7 while reaching Mazar Uch Sharif. The ECP wrote that an alarming allegation was a connection between senior police officials and partisan political activism was established in this particular case. “In particular, finger has been pointed at the DIG police, Bahawalpur,” reads the letter.

In another specific complaint lodged by PPP Secretary-General Syed Nayyer Husain Bukhari, it was stated the inspector general of Punjab, the Bahawalpur district police officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police Safdar had allegedly been involved in obstructing freedom of movement.

Besides asking the caretaker chief minister to hold an inquiry, the ECP stated the commission would take action against the responsible, if the Punjab government finds flaw in the conduct of local officers and somebody’s involvement in obstructing Bilawal’s convoy.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2018