ECP refuses to recognise Achakzai as PkMAP chief over failure to hold intra-party polls

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday refused to recognise National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai as chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) over the party’s failure to hold intra-party elections. A full five-member bench of the commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the matter. Two other cases related to the party were also fixed for hearing. It was learnt that not only Achakzai’s leadership but also certain “controversial” amendments made to the party’s constitution and PkMAP’s account details were under question. At the initial hearing last week, the ECP bench had observed that a decision…