ECP says it is ‘fully functional’ following reports of secretary’s resignation due to ill health

Published January 7, 2024
The photo shows ECP secretary Omar Hamid Khan at an event in Islamabad last year. — Photo courtesy Omar Hamid Khan/X
The photo shows ECP secretary Omar Hamid Khan at an event in Islamabad last year. — Photo courtesy Omar Hamid Khan/X

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday said that it was “fully functional” while Secretary Omar Hamid Khan was on “medical rest” and would soon resume his duties if his health permitted.

The electoral watchdog’s statement came after TV channels and media reports alleged Khan had stepped down from his post ahead of the February 8 general elections due to ill health, raising concerns over conducting timely elections.

In a press release, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the ECP said Khan was an intelligent and hardworking officer, who was performing his duties with diligence.

“His health was poor and he had been on medical rest before. If his health permits, he will soon perform his official duties,” it said, without elaborating further.

The election commission asserted that it was “fully functional” and was facing no hurdles in performing its job, adding that the ECP and its offices were working even on holidays.

“In the secretary’s absence, two special secretaries of the commission are performing their duties in an efficient manner,” the electoral watchdog added.

The statement was also shared on social media platform X by caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, who urged people to refrain from paying attention to rumours.

“We pray to Allah for his complete and speedy recovery. [The] election commission is fully functional and there is no crisis of any kind,” he added.

Opinion

Editorial

A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...
Depopulating Gaza
Updated 07 Feb, 2025

Depopulating Gaza

The least feasible "solution" is the Trumpian plan for Gaza’s ethnic cleansing and occupation, which is a non-starter.
‘Pause’ in US aid
07 Feb, 2025

‘Pause’ in US aid

THE impact of the Trump administration’s decision to ‘pause’ all US foreign aid programmes, especially those...
Mobilising opposition
07 Feb, 2025

Mobilising opposition

POLITICS makes strange bedfellows. There has not, for quite some time, been a guest list as intriguing as the one...