Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected a plea seeking the removal of Fawad Hasan Fawad as caretaker federal minister, saying the former bureaucrat is minister for privatisation and can't influence election process.
"Fawad is the minister for privatisation and inter provincial coordination; therefore, he cannot influence the election process,: the ECP said in its verdict. The ECP added that the minister has been serving in important positions in the past.
Advocate Syed Aziz Uddin Kaka Khel had filed the petition with the ECP on September 29 against caretaker federal cabinet members Ahad Cheema and Fawad.
However, Cheema was removed in compliance with the ECP's order.
In the short order, the ECP said that the petitioner’s prayer for Cheema to be removed was “reasonable and is accepted” on the basis that the latter was a part of the previous government and could thus “influence the holding of free, fair and transparent elections” if he continued in his post.