ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (Retd) Irshad Hasan Khan ordered the postponement of the by- election in National Assembly Constituency NA-89 Jhang , fearing sectarian violence during the month of Muharram, it was learnt on Sunday.

The NA seat at Jhang fell vacant after the murder of Maulana Azam Tariq in Islamabad, and elections was scheduled to be held on February 21.

The EC announcement said that the month of Muharram is commencing in February and there is grave apprehension of a sectarian crisis, and therefore a fresh election programme will be issued later.