KOHAT: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf president for south region Shahid Khattak has served a final show-cause notice on former provincial law minister Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi, asking him to withdraw from elections as an independent against the party nominee in PK-91, or his basic membership would get terminated.

A letter issued here said: “We are informed that you, Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi, is campaigning for general elections 2024 as an independent candidate for PK 91, Kohat, against party nominee Daud Afridi. This, you are doing despite the party’s clear instructions to withdraw as a candidate. You are directed to immediately withdraw your candidature in favour of the candidate nominated by the party,” the letter said.

“Also, you are hereby served this notice as to why your basic membership should not be ended for going against the party’s decision and violating party discipline,” the letter further said.

VISIT: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Akhtar Hayat and chief secretary Aslam Chaudhry have said a foolproof, comprehensive and coordinated strategic plan has been put in place in the province for the conduct of peaceful elections. They stated this during daylong visits to Kohat, Karak and Hangu districts the other day.

IGP Akhtar Hayat and chief secretary were briefed that all available resources would be used to tackle any untoward incident.

They were told that security checks had already been started from the control rooms of Kohat, Karak and Hangu through CCTV cameras installed at various places for monitoring the situations.

They said extra arrangements had been made for the secure transportation of ballots from far-flung areas.

Meanwhile, 2,000 policemen would be deployed at the polling stations, an official told Dawn. He said contingents of Quick Response Force and Rapid Response Force had also been assigned the job of patrolling the areas.

The officials said deputy commissioner Dr Azmatullah Wazir had ordered installation of CCTV cameras both outside and inside the polling stations.

The official said the Section 144 would remain intact for a fortnight to ensure complete calm till the announcement of the election results.

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024