ECP ‘cowering in fear’: Khan calls supporters to join protest against chief election commissioner

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has urged his supporters to come out for a “peaceful” protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which is set to take place in Islamabad today (Thursday).

“Today I am calling all our people to come out in peaceful public protest against CEC and ECP in F9 Park at 6 pm. I will be addressing the gathering between 7:00 – 7:30 pm.”

“CEC & ECP in cahoots with Imported govt conspired to try a technical knockout against PTI after PMLN got routed in Punjab by-elections despite the support of entire state machinery & ECP shenanigans. Now they are cowering in fear abt same happening to entire PDM in General Elections,” tweeted former prime minister Imran Khan.

PTI withdraws reference to remove ECP chief

PTI has withdrawn its reference against CEC Raja minutes after it was submitted in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).

According to media reports, the reference was withdrawn to highlight further legal aspects. The party will also include the demand for reconsideration of the ECP verdict in the prohibited funding case.

The reference was taken back from the registrar’s office.

The reference sought to remove CEC Raja from his post on account of the “commission of continuous and deliberate misconduct”.

Earlier in the day, the party filed a reference in which the former ruling party alleged that Raja was pressurised to announce the verdict on PTI’s foreign funding case.

The party alleged that after a meeting between the CEC and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders, the ECP announced its foreign funding verdict.

Speaking to the media after the reference was taken back, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry warned the government that if they pull any stunt in the federal capital, then the PTI-led governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab will fill their prisons with PDM leaders and its allies, reports Samaa News.

Red Zone sealed

Ahead of the PTI protest today, Islamabad’s district administration has sealed the Red Zone and placed containers at the entry points of the city.

Entry into the Red Zone is banned for protesters and all unconcerned people. Personnel of law enforcement agencies including Anti-Riot Force, Rangers, FC and police have been deployed around the Red Zone. Entrance will be allowed only through the Margalla Road.

Read more – After Punjab, KPK assembly also approves motion against ECP chief

Earlier this week, PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced a “peaceful” protest outside the ECP. The party has repeatedly demanded the resignation of ECP Chief Sikandar Sultan Raja.

‘If someone tries to enter the Red Zone area, they shouldn’t complain about the consequences’: Rana Sanaullah

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned PTI of strict action against those who try to enter the Red Zone.

He said that the PTI can attack the election commission; however, they should remember that the Islamabad High Court has imposed restrictions on staging protests in the Red Zone.

“Protests are strictly prohibited in the Red Zone and if someone tries to enter the area, they shouldn’t complain about the consequences of their actions later,” he said.

Rana Sanaullah added that there are some selected venues where the PTI can stage a “peaceful protest as it was everybody’s right in the democratic era”.