PESHAWAR: The Swat district monitoring officer on Friday imposed Rs50,000 fine on provincial minister for housing Dr Amjid Ali for addressing a public meeting of PTI candidate violating the code of conduct announced by Election Commission of Pakistan for by-elections in PK-7, Swat-VI.

The DMO, Imran Khan, directed the minister to deposit the fine in the government treasury or National Bank of Pakistan by June 22.

The DMO, who is also the election officer, warned the minister that in case of any subsequent violation, the matter would be referred to the Election Commission under section 234(4) of the Elections Act 2017 for initiation of proceedings against him under the law including disqualification.

Polling for the by-elections will be held on June 26. The seat had fallen vacant with the death of Awami National Party MPA Waqar Ahmad Khan.

The DMO had issued notice to the minister on June 15 asking him to appear in person or through a representative and explain his position about attending and addressing a public meeting in support of the PTI’s candidate Fazal Mawla.

A representative of the minister named Kashif Ali turned up on Friday and contended that the minister was not aware of the code of conduct. He stated that earlier through an ordinance participation of the public office holders was permitted in electioneering.

He stated that the respondent (Amjid Ali) had participated in the public meeting in good faith and he had no intention to violate the code.

The DMO did not accept the plea observing: “As far as the argument of ‘being unaware’ is considered it is reiterated that ignorance of law is no excuse and that the argument is all too weak to absolve the respondent from any liability incurred by him upon violation of the code of conduct.”

The DMO ruled that the act of the respondent was in violation of Para 7-B of the code of conduct.

Meanwhile, the DMO again summoned another provincial minister, Mohibullah Khan, on June 22 after his failure to appear on Friday.

Mohibullah, who is minister for agriculture and livestock, was issued a notice on June 15 by the DMO asking him to appear on Friday.

The DMO had stated that it had come to his knowledge through social media that he had participated and addressed a corner meeting at a hujra on June 14 as part of the election campaign of PTI candidate Fazal Mawla.

Published in Dawn,June 18th, 2022