BAJAUR: The local administration has directed political parties to get permission before arranging any type of public meeting in the district.

The administration has decided that parties will not be allowed to carry out any activity without getting a no objection certificate (NOC) from it.

The decision was made in a meeting held her between the senior officials of district administration and local leaders of political parties. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Anwarul Haq chaired the meeting.

According to a statement, presidents and general secretaries of all political parties and police officials attended the meeting.

The meeting was meant to prepare a code of conduct for activities of political parties, especially for their election campaigns.

Mr Haq briefed the participants of meeting about the provincial government’s code of conduct for activities of political parties and election campaigns across the province.

He said that it was the responsibility of district administration to implement the code of conduct to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the region in a peaceful environment.

He told the representatives of political parties that it would be mandatory for them to apply for getting permission or ‘no objection certificate’ before holding any kind of activity including public gathering, procession and corner meeting in any area of the district.

Mr Haq told the participants of the meeting that district administration was neither against the political activities in the region, nor it wanted to deprive any party or individual from the right of doing politics. However, he said that formalities were imperative for carrying out political activities in a peaceful manner.

The officials on the occasion advised the representatives of political parties to strictly follow the code of conduct and get NOC before holding any political gathering in the district.

The statement said that the representatives of political parties pledged to follow the code of conduct and fulfil the formalities.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2023