Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur has reportedly been expelled from Dera Ismail Khan by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) until the end of the second phase of the local bodies elections over ‘continuous violation’ of campaign and election rules.
In a notice issued by the ECP on Thursday, the Chief Secretary and Inspector General of KP are purportedly directed to ‘forcibly oust’ the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA from the DI Khan district until the culmination of the second phase of the local elections.
Authorities are ordered to “ensure that Mr. Ali Amin Ganapur does not enter the constituencies where elections for the 2nd phase are going to be held, including DI Khan district, and in case of trespassing he be expelled immediately.”
Last week, the MNA had been summoned before the ECP for repeated code of conduct violations. The MNA had allegedly engaged in prohibited practices while campaigning for his brother Umar Amin Gandapur, who is a candidate for mayor of DI Khan.
On December 5, the minister allegedly violated election code by announcing development schemes in the constituency area, for which was fined Rs.50,000. Ten days later, Mr. Ali again violated the code by addressing a public rally in the district.
The ECP held a hearing on Mr. Ali’s violations on February 1st, for which neither Mr. Ali nor his brother reportedly appeared.
Journalist Iftikhar Firdous posted a copy of the ECP notice on his Twitter account.
MNA Ali Amin Gandapur has been extradited from D I Khan by the Election Commision till the culmination of the second phase of election for continuous violation of ECP rules. Letter issued to IG Police and Chief Secretary to not allow him into the district. pic.twitter.com/ljl5CC2VpR
— Iftikhar Firdous (@IftikharFirdous) February 3, 2022
Minister Ali Amin Ganapur is no stranger to controversy. Last October, he reportedly threatened a citizen in response to their complaint about an allegedly arbitrary arrest. In July, he purportedly fired a gun in the air near Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, claiming that a convoy of PTI leaders had come under attack
The item girl in Mr Khan’s troupe, always well decked-up.