ISLAMABAD: The Elec­­tion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a notice to Khyber Pakhtun­khwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tues­day on a petition seeking his disqualification.

The petition, filed by Mu­­­­­hammad Kafeel, alle­ges that Mr Gandapur wro­­­­­ngfully claimed ownership of 735 kanals of land in the Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district.

According to Mr Kafeel, the land, temporarily tra­nsferred to Mr Gandapur, rightfully belongs to Asif Khan. Documents suggest Mr Gandapur acknowledged his role as merely a titular owner, with Asif Khan being the true proprietor, Mr Kafeel says in the petition.

Further controversy stems from Mr Gandapur’s 2020 financial declaration, in which he reported purchasing a Toyota Land Cruiser (YB-777) with proceeds from the disputed land sale. Mr Kafeel argues that this act indicates Mr Gandapur’s failure to meet the integrity standards required for his position as an MPA.

The hearing for the case has been adjourned until March 26.

“We have heard preliminary arguments which ne­­ed consideration on merits. Offi­­ce to issue notice to respondent No. 5 (Ali Amin Ganda­pur) for the date fixed throu­­gh the District Ele­ction Com­mis­sioner conce­rned. The service report of DEC shall reach this office before the date fixed. Case to come up on 26.03.2024,” said an order issued with the signatures of the ECP’s member from Sindh, Nisar Ahmed Durrani.

Mr Gandapur was elec­ted as a member of the KP Assembly from the Dera Ismail Khan’s PK-113 constituency as a PTI-backed independent candidate. He was subsequently elected as the chief minister.

He earlier served as the federal minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan from Oct 5, 2018, to April 10, 2022, in the cabinet of the then-prime minister, Imran Khan.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2024