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 would first be made regarding the party’s counsel, Aimal Mandokhail. On Thursday, the chief election commissioner said an order would be issued regarding the power of attorney.

Raja made the remarks after asking the lawyer who had signed the power of attorney submitted to the commission.

Mandokhail replied that party chairman Achakzai had signed the document, but the chief election commissioner pointed out that there was currently no party head, as no intra-party election had been conducted so far.

He added that the power of attorney would be placed on record, but an order would be issued on whether or not it was acceptable.

Mandokhail has sought to represent the party in the three cases, but this is now subject to the ECP’s order on the power of attorney.

It was learnt that PkMAP had conducted intra-party elections on December 21, 2022, and since the term of office-bearers was fixed at three years, new elections were mandatory by December 21, 2025.

Raja said the commission had reminded the party to hold elections on October 1, 2025, and issued a show-cause notice on January 15, 2026. In response, the party sought a 180-day extension, which was granted.

However, a subsequent request for another 180-day extension was rejected, with the commission clarifying that intra-party elections must be completed by June 19, 2026, in any case. The party neither held the elections nor submitted a proper response to the ECP. ...