MML continues its political activities, Interior Ministry stays mum

PESHAWAR- Milli Muslim League (MML) continues with political activities in NA-4 Peshawar, while Interior Ministry remains quite about it. The party's plea to register as a political entity was rejected by ECP on Wednesday. However, the party openly indulged in political activities for upcoming by-election of NA-4, Peshawar.

MML's application was rejected by Election Commission of Pakistan's four-judge panel  because of its alleged connections with Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a banned outfit in Pakistan. In September, the Interior Ministry had written a letter to ECP to seek a ban on MML, explaining the organization's links to banned militant group.

ECP rejects Milli Muslim League's request for ... 02:10 PM | 11 Oct, 2017

ISLAMABAD - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday rejected an application of Milli Muslim League for ...

ECP told MML's counsel to seek clearance from Interior Ministry.

الیکشن کمیشن ہمیں وزارت داخلہ سے کلیئرنس کا مشورہ کس قانون کے تحت دے رہا ہے؟

سیف اللہ خالد

صدر ملی مسلم لیگ#MML pic.twitter.com/e7CCHRSGdn

— Milli Muslim League (@MMLOfficial1) October 12, 2017

MML, despite not being able to register as a political party, continues its political activities in Peshawar's NA-4. The party chief Saifullah Khalid has announced support for Liaqat Ali Khan, an independent candidate from Peshawar. Khalid, on 4th October, inaugurated the election office of Liaqat Ali Khan. The independent candidate is openly using in his election campaign  the flag of MML and is being endorsed by Saifullah Khalid, son-in-law of Hafiz Seed, who carries a bounty of $10 million on his head.

یوسی 45 ارمڑ پایان میں امیدوار الحاج لیاقت علی خان نے الیکشن آفس کا افتتاح کیا . کارکنان کا زبردست استقبال. نعرہ بازی کی گئی. #MML #NA4 pic.twitter.com/GAxsZhoJqD

— Milli Muslim League (@MMLOfficial1) October 11, 2017

 

Returning Officer of NA-4, has issued a show-cause notice to Liaqat Ali Khan on 10th October, 2017, for using MML's flag and name in election campaign for upcoming by-poll. Khan has been given three days to submit his answer.

 

 

However, Liaqat Ali Khan, after receiving show-cause notice from ECP, attended a dinner given to senior journalists, editors and press workers by President MML, Saifullah.

 

صدر ملی مسلم سیف اللہ خالد کی جانب سے پشاور میں سینئر صحافیوں ومدیران کے اعزاز میں عشائیہ. لیاقت علی خان امیدوار این اے 4 موجود #MML #NA4 pic.twitter.com/NhWgm62oGf

— Milli Muslim League (@MMLOfficial1) October 11, 2017

 

On the question of 'proscribing' MML, ECP officials take the stance that only Interior Ministry has the right to enlist an organization as 'banned'. However, the Interior Ministry has kept silent on the matter after issuing the letter.

This reticence on behalf of the Interior Ministry is allowing MML to play the political field in NA-4 by backing the independent candidate and leaves very little margin for ECP to take legal actions against any such indulgence.