KARACHI: Sindh Assembly’s Opposition Leader and PTI member Haleem Adil Sheikh has been escorted out of a Malir PS-88 polling station by SSP Malir Irfan Bahadur Tuesday afternoon after repeated violations of Election Commission protocol.
“Haleem Adil Sheikh is being removed from the constituency on the orders of the Election Commission,” DIG East, Muhammad Nouman Siddiqui said, clarifying that the PTI leader was not arrested.
The PTI MNA was taken to SSP Malir Buhadar Khan’s office first and then was expelled from the area. The police also arrested four of his armed security guards.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken strict action against Haleem Adil Sheikh who was roaming freely in the constituency along with his armed guards during the by-elections besides paying visits consistently to different polling stations.
The authorities had ordered Sheikh to immediately leave the premises of the constituency, however, he was later expelled by police after he refused to obey the ECP orders.
PPP’s letter
Earlier today, the PPP wrote a letter to the ECP and urged it to take notice of the alleged rule violations by Sheikh.
The letter by PPP’s Central Election Cell’s Incharge Taj Haider claims voters in PS-88 Karachi by-election “are being taken to the office of PTI situated in the area and being given Parchis on the promise of being paid 12000 UNDER EHSAS program if they vote for PTI candidate.”
Sheikh ‘flouted’ all laws
PPP Senator Seher Kamran in an exclusive conversation with The Pakistan Daily expressed reservations on the minister’s alleged misconduct.
“Footages are present on social media which shows very clear and vocal who brought weapons”, she said in response to a question regarding Sheikh claims adding, we know they [government] is now in extreme fear but in disquiet and trouble, will not let the bullying happen.”
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also took to micro-blogging website to highlight the provincial lawmaker’s alleged misconduct. “By law, no MPA can enter the constituency while polling is ongoing, but [Sheikh] has flouted all laws,” she said in a tweet.
