Sunni Ittehad Council leaders face FIR for violating election regulations

An FIR has been filed against 16 leaders of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) and 600 unidentified workers for organizing a public rally in Chunian ahead of the NA-132 by-election in Kasur district. The FIR states that the SIC leaders failed to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the district administration for the event, where they allegedly attempted to incite people with an anti-state narrative. The leaders are accused of violating the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) code of conduct and Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Additionally, they are alleged to have displayed weapons during the rally.

The FIR, lodged at Khaddian police station, names prominent SIC figures such as Sher Afzal Marwat and Sardar Muhammad Hussain Dogar. The by-election campaign for NA-132 concluded at midnight on April 20, with the seat being vacated by Shehbaz Sharif. The ECP had reminded candidates of the campaign deadline under the Election Act, 2017, ahead of the by-polls in 21 constituencies across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan on April 21.

The FIR against SIC leaders and workers for the Chunian rally highlights the strict enforcement of election regulations by the authorities. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the ECP's guidelines to ensure fair and peaceful electoral processes in Pakistan.