Islamabad - The Election Commission of Pakistan on Monday ordered the removal of Chief Executive Officer IESCO Javed Pervaiz who was given extension after reaching the age of retirement from job last month.
In a linked development, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources removed Masood Siddiqui from the post of Managing Director Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) reportedly in compliance with the ECP instructions issued last month on having the heads of government departments and government-owned autonomous corporations and companies removed ahead of the general elections.
The ECP order on having Javed Pervaiz removed as IESCO (Islamabad Electric Supply Company) CEO is taken against the reported backdrop of his apparent political connections and affiliation. The former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had appointed Javed Pervaiz as IESCO CEO. Available with The Nation, a notification number A III (259/2011-CEO IESCO) grants Pervaiz extension “until his successor is appointed.” Muhammad Ali Shahzada, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Water and Power, issued this seemingly controversial notification, dated April 23 2013. It states, “Upon reaching the age of superannuation, Mr Javed Pervaiz, Chief Executive Officer Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) stands retired w.e.f April 22, 2013. However, in terms of provisions of Section 199(3) of the Companies Ordinance 1984, he shall continue to perform his functions until his successor is appointed.”
In addition, the ECP last month had clearly instructed for the removal of MD Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) Arif Hameed and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGCL) Zohair Siddiqui from their posts but the petroleum ministry had categorically refused to follow the commission’s orders by retaining both the babus. The ECP is yet to take notice of the defiance of its orders.
Meanwhile, the electoral body, in a statement, cited Sections 84 and 85 of the Representation of the People Act 1976, instructing the general polls contestants to wind up their electoral campaigns in the respective constituencies as well as in the media by May 9 midnight. The talk shows containing views of electoral experts, journalists and other relevant personalities shall be exempted from this restriction, the ECP said.
Section 84 states, “Prohibition of public meetings, etc during certain period.-(1)No person shall convene, hold or attend any public meeting, and no person shall promote or join in any procession, within the area of any constituency during a period of forty-eight hours ending at midnight following the conclusion of the poll for any election in that constituency.
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1)shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 85 states, “Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station.-A person is guilty of an offence punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees if he, within a radius of four hundred yards of the polling station, on the polling day-
(1) canvasses for votes;
(2) solicits the vote of any elector;
(3) persuades any elector not to vote at the election or for a particular candidate;
or
(4) exhibits, except with the permission of the returning officer and at a place reserved for the candidate or his election agent beyond the radius of one hundred yards of the polling station, any notice, sign, banner or flag designed to encourage the electors to vote or discourage the electors from voting, for any contesting candidate.” Furthermore, the poll authority on Monday inaugurated its ‘e-perchi’ service that assists the voters in finding out their polling stations location details using short messaging service.
The facility provides the polling stations addresses to the voters they are scheduled to cast their votes in, upon sending their identity card numbers at 8300. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Secretary ECP Ishtiak Ahmed Khan termed the facility as ECP’s great achievement towards updating the voters on electoral details. He said that an inquiry had been launched into the incident involving the detection of 90,000 fake ballot papers in Lower Dir on Sunday.
Member ECP Justice (r) Riaz Kayani dispelled the impression that the May 11 polls would follow massive bloodshed. “This is not true. Adequate security arrangements are being taken to avert security lapses. God willing, the polls will have foolproof security and they would be held in free, fair and peaceful manner,” he said. Later, a delegation of the Commonwealth representatives called on Ishtiak Khan. A press release issued after the meeting quoted Khan as saying, “General Elections-2013 is the largest exercise in peace time as 86.1 million people will exercise the right of franchise on 11th May 2013. The ECP attaches high priority to have friendly relations with international community/observers and warmly welcomes election observers to observe the elections in Pakistan.”