Nov 16, 2021: Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry apologized to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for his remarks about the agency and the Chief Election Commissioner.

Chaudhry was summoned by the ECP after he accused the Chief Election Commissioner of being the mouthpiece of the opposition. He also alleged that the ECP had become the headquarters of opposition parties.

On Tuesday, Chaudhry told the ECP bench that he had great respect for the Chief Election Commissioner. He said he was “mouth-piece” for the cabinet and government and that many of his statements did not reflect his personal views.

Fawad Chaudhry said that he is a lawyer and he is not involved in any confrontation with the courts and does not want to do so in future. The ECP bench directed Fawad to file a written apology.

Chaudhry and Railway Minister Azam Swati had criticized the ECP for objecting to electronic voting machines (EVMs). The ECP has pointed out flaws in the government’s plans for EVMs and opposed their use in the next general election, while the government is pushing for legislation to introduce EVMs. Swati was issued a show cause notice when he said he wanted to set the ECP on fire.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Chaudhry said he hoped the ECP would take his statement positively.

The Information Minister said that it was natural for the government to propose electoral reforms before the elections. He urged the opposition to consider the proposed reforms.

Speaking on the statement of former judge Shamim Rana, Chaudhry said that the opposition party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has a history of attacking institutions. He said that he had earlier launched a vicious campaign against the army and now he was conspiring against the judiciary.

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