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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday dismissed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan\u2019s request seeking two months for party chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui to appear in a case regarding the holding of intra-party elections.<\/p>\n
According to a statement issued by the ECP, a three-member commission \u2014 headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja \u2014 presided over the hearing on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Director General Political Finance ECP Masood Sherwani and an MQM-P representative appeared before the commission. Sherwani stated that MQM-P last held intra-party elections on October 16, 2021, and as per MQM-P\u2019s legal framework, the next election should have been held on Oct 16, 2025.<\/p>\n
He further stated that the ECP directed MQM-P to hold the election by January 16, 2026; however, the party passed a resolution enabling extension of the current tenure by one year.<\/p>\n
In its resolution, the party had written that the elections would be held before March 16, 2026, Sherwani informed the commission.<\/p>\n
The MQM-P representative addressing the commission said that party chairman Siddiqui wanted to appear before the commission himself, and he should be given two months to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is busy with cabinet and ministerial duties due to the ongoing war,\u201d the MQM-P representative said.<\/p>\n
At this, the chief election commissioner responded, saying, \u201cWhat war is going on in Pakistan? He cannot be given two months.\u201d<\/p>\n
He directed Siddiqui or his legal counsel to appear before the commission and adjourned the hearing till April 16.<\/p>\n