Sialkot (Staff Reporter): Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Secretary General Nayyer Hussain Bukhari has penned a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), urging it to take notice of the recent transfer of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sialkot amid preparations for the PP-52 by-election.

In his letter, Bukhari pointed out that immediately after the by-election schedule notification was issued on April 18, 2025, for constituency PP-52, steps were taken to transfer the sitting DC—an act he says blatantly violates both the Constitution of Pakistan and the Election Act, 2017. “All institutions are required to ensure free and fair elections under the Constitution and the Election Act,” he wrote.

Highlighting Section 8 of the Election Act, 2017, Bukhari reminded the ECP that no officer may be appointed, transferred, or posted without its prior approval. Nevertheless, on April 26, 2025, the Punjab government appointed Ms. Saba Ali Asghar as the new DC of Sialkot, effectively ignoring these legal safeguards. “The ECP is obligated to conduct transparent elections; such arbitrary transfers undermine public confidence,” he added.

Bukhari also noted that the PPP’s nominated candidate has already submitted nomination papers for the by-election in accordance with the schedule, and stressed that the ECP must act swiftly to uphold electoral integrity. He urged the Commission to initiate suo moto proceedings into these transfers and issue directives ensuring that the by-election in PP-52 proceeds without undue interference.

“We call on the Election Commission to uphold the rule of law, investigate these violations, and guarantee that voters in PP-52 can exercise their democratic right under a fair and impartial process,” Nayyer Hussain Bukhari concluded.