On Thursday, the ECP (Electoral Commission of Pakistan) suspended the Punjab Chief Minister Roshan Gharana Scheme. This household stimulus package uses up to 100 units of electricity announced by Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz until the July 17 secondary elections.
A three-person group of ECP led by Chief Elections Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja issued the order after hearing arguments from the Chief Minister of Punjab.
The Electoral Commission had sent Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz a memo seeking a response to his alleged violation of the electoral code of conduct by providing free electricity to a specific group of consumers in the province ahead of July 17 by-election announced. The election watchdog had requested a reply from the provincial governor on July 7.
The aid package reported just days before by-elections in 20 provincial legislatures in Punjab, has been criticized by the PTI, which has also requested the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter.
