The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has suspended the free electricity scheme under Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz’s Roshan Gharana Program till July 17 by-elections.
ECP has issued a notice to Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz for violation of election code of conduct. A three-member bench chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the matter.
The chief election commissioner questioned why the announcement related to free electricity was made when it was already included into the provincial budget. He said that it was their responsibility to provide a level playing field to all parties.
During the hearing, ECP Sindh member Nisar Durrani said that the announcement would be considered as an attempt to influence the elections if the announcement was made during election campaigns.
Sikandar Sultan Raja said that the ECP would take action upon violation of electoral code of conduct as per law. He ordered to stop announcement of any development program till the by-elections.
CM Punjab’s counsel Khalid Ishaq told the commission that the program was not only for the constituencies of by-elections but was aimed for the whole province. He said that petroleum prices would not have been increased had the government been trying to influence election and voters.
