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Aug 14 , 2026

Awaam Pakistan Calls ECP Delisting ‘Unwarranted’, Seeks Urgent Hearing

Islamabad: Headed by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Awaam Pakistan has challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to delist the party over its alleged failure to hold intra-party elections, calling the move “arbitrary, unwarranted and unprecedented”.

In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja dated August 12, 2026, Abbasi, who is also the party’s president, said Awaam Pakistan had been “taken by surprise” by an ECP notification issued on August 7. The  notification  cited an ECP order dated Aug 3, 2026, in a case titled “Non-Conduct of intra-party election by Awaam Pakistan”.

Abbasi said the party had conducted intra-party elections for both the National General Council and national office-bearers between March 26 and April 2, 2026. He said the polls were held within the extension granted by the ECP in its decision of January 2026.

“The results of the intra-party election and detailed documentation were submitted to the ECP on April 6, 2026,” the letter said.

He added that 12,846 party members participated in the exercise, which was “democratic, transparent, and in full compliance with the Elections Act, 2017.”

Terming the delisting “in contradiction of the record available with the ECP”, Abbasi said the action was taken “without an opportunity to be heard by the Election Commission”.

“We request an urgent hearing by the commission so that we can clarify our position,” he wrote.

While Article 17 of the Constitution guarantees the right to form political parties, enlistment with the ECP is a legal requirement for obtaining an election symbol to contest polls. - Dawn

Courtesy Dawn

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