ECP orders removal of PM’s aide Ahad Cheema

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered Tuesday the removal of Ahad Cheema, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Establishment Division.

The decision was made due to concerns that his presence might influence the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections. Advocate SC Syed Azizuddin Kakakhel had filed a petition naming Ahad Cheema, Fawad Hassan Fawad, and Syed Tauqeer Hussain as allegedly biased individuals and seeking their removal. The commission had issued notices to all parties involved.

Tauqeer Shah, the principal secretary to the caretaker prime minister, who had previously served during the coalition government led by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, was also mentioned, though presently he is serving in the World Bank. The order, signed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, directed the removal of Ahad Cheema from the post of adviser, stating that his association with the previous political government could impact the fairness of elections. The secretary of the Cabinet Division was instructed to issue the removal notification promptly.

The ECP, exercising its powers under Article 218(3) of the Constitution, cited Sections 4 and 8 of the Elections Act, 2017, for the immediate removal of the adviser from the Establishment Division. Media speculation surrounded the inclusion of Fawad Hassan Fawad and Ahad Cheema in the federal cabinet as both have ties to previous political administrations.

Following the petition hearing, the election commission emphasised that Ahad Cheema’s past involvement in the cabinet could influence elections, warranting his immediate removal from the adviser post. The commission announced that a petition related to Fawad Hassan Fawad, another adviser to the prime minister on privatisation, would be heard on December 21 (tomorrow).

Notices were issued to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and three key cabinet members for December 19, responding to a petition seeking the removal of ‘biased’ federal cabinet members to ensure free, fair, and transparent general elections.

The petitioner, Syed Azizuddin Kakakhel, argued that transparent elections would be impossible with biased individuals in the caretaker government, urging the removal of such cabinet members. The election commission had previously issued notices for the submission of Adviser Ahad Cheema’s statement of assets and liabilities by December 18, under the Elections Act. Failure to comply would result in his de-notification.

Meanwhile, the election commission again deferred the indictment of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in the contempt case at Adiala Jail. The hearing was adjourned until December 27 at the request of the alleged contemnors, who sought the hearing of the contempt case.

During a media talk outside the jail, Imran’s lawyer, Shoaib Shaheen, said the indictment was deferred because neither the PTI counsels nor the advocate general could reach in time for the hearing. “Our files were checked for half an hour as we waited. Even the ECP members left after waiting,” the lawyer claimed.

Fawad, through his counsel, Faisal Chaudhry, had submitted a plea to the ECP, seeking open proceedings in the contempt case, stating that the current proceedings in Central Jail Adiala were not open,

transparent, and violated the law and the Constitution.

The election commission had previously decided to conduct the contempt case hearing and indictment in jail due to security threats, as the Ministry of Interior declined to produce Imran.

In August of the previous year, contempt notices were issued to Imran, Fawad, and then PTI secretary general Asad Umar for alleged intemperate language and contemptuous remarks against the commission and the chief election commissioner.

In a related development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) once again deferred the indictment of ex-premier Imran Khan and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in the case about contempt of the electoral body and the chief election commissioner and adjourned the hearing till December 27.

Speaking to media outside Adiala Jail, Imran’s lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said the indictment was deferred because neither the PTI counsels nor the advocate general could arrive in time for the hearing. “Our files were checked for half an hour as we waited. Even the ECP members left after waiting,” the lawyer claimed.

Separately, Fawad Chaudhry through his counsel, submitted a plea to the ECP seeking an open trial for the contempt proceedings.

“The proceedings in central jail Adiala are not open, transparent and are in square violation of law and the Constitution,” the former PTI leader contended.