Friday, Federal Minister for Railways Azam Swati apologized to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for his accusations against it. While failing to appear for the ECP hearing, the Minister submitted the apology through his lawyer.
To clarify, back in September, Azam Swat lashed out at the ECP and used inappropriate words. He accused the ECP of taking money from companies that make electronic voting machines. Furthermore, he said that such institutions should be set on fire.
In response, the ECP issued a notice to Swati over the allegations leveled by him against the ECP under the Contempt of Court Law. However, Swati did not immediately respond. Important to note, Swati’s refusal to attend the hearings prompted ECP to issue a show-cause notice.
Read more: Set ECP on fire: Azam Swati
The Minister again did not appear for the hearing today but his lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar, appeared before the ECP and submitted the apology letter on his behalf.
Barrister Zafar read out the apology letter before the ECP members.
“I [Azam Swati] am a law-abiding person, a democratic man and promote democracy and I have fought against corruption. I respect the Election Commission. My duty is to strengthen the ECP. I have always respected the ECP and did not try to scandalize it. If any such statement came from me, I apologize for it.”
According to reports, the ECP neither accepted, nor rejected the apology but directed the minister to appear in person at the next hearing.
After Fawad Chaudhry, Azam Swati also apologises to ECP pic.twitter.com/uuUp7SW47b
— Mohsin Nisar Malik (@MuhsenNysar) December 3, 2021
Fawad Chaudhry apologizes to ECP
Similarly, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry also went on a tirade against the ECP. He described the chief of the commission as a mouthpiece of the Opposition.
As a result, Fawad Chaudhry received a show-cause notice along with Azam Swati. After this, he appeared before the ECP and apologized. He said that as a minister of information, he says whatever is the policy of his cabinet.
“I am the mouthpiece of the cabinet. At times I say things but the words are not my own,” Fawad Chaudhry reportedly said. The Minister said he “personally respects” the Chief of Election Commission and did not abuse anyone.
“I am sorry,” said the Minister, ” I apologize for my words.”
Members of the ECP present at the hearing directed Fawad Chaudhry to submit his apology in writing.
Read more: Fawad Chaudhry apologizes for accusations against ECP