The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has responded to a letter sent by the JUI-F emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman to the chief election commissioner over the notification of Sadaf Ehsan as JUI-F’s MNA on a reserved seat.

Mr Rehman had criticised the move and termed it “either an ill-intended move or lack of competence” on ECP’s part, as there was no woman named Sadaf Ehsan on JUI-F’s list of reserved seats’ candidates.

In its reply, the ECP said that Sadaf Yasmeen’s name was included on the list submitted by JUI-F to the returning offi­cer (RO), and the party also claimed that she, not Sadaf Ehsan, is their candidate.

But no candidate of such name had submitted nomination papers, the ECP said, adding that a woman named Sadaf Ehsan, a resident of Lakki Marwat, did submit her nomination papers.

“Therefore, to remove this dispute, notices have been issued to all concerned and open hearing of the case has been decided to resolve the matter,” the ECP said, adding that the commission has also ordered an inquiry into the incident and suspended the RO.

Read more here

Opinion

Editorial

Debt that stays
30 Jul, 2026

Debt that stays

THE power sector’s circular debt grew by Rs61bn in the last fiscal year, taking the total to roughly Rs1.67tr from...
HIV warning
30 Jul, 2026

HIV warning

THE HIV infections detected around two SESSI-run hospitals in Karachi demand far more than another hurried committee...
End trafficking
30 Jul, 2026

End trafficking

MODERN slavery, in the form of human trafficking, is among the state’s gravest failures. Scores of Pakistanis are...
AJK elections
29 Jul, 2026

AJK elections

CONSIDERING the political unrest that has rocked Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past, free and fair general...
Still vulnerable
29 Jul, 2026

Still vulnerable

THE State Bank’s decision to hold the policy rate at 11.5pc is a prudent response to the heightened risks the...
Guarding the past
29 Jul, 2026

Guarding the past

THE return of 513 smuggled archaeological artefacts from the US is a welcome homecoming for objects that should ...