A division bench of Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprising Justice Ikramullah and Justice Musarrat Hilali suspended the election and operation of the executive committee of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma). The order was given on the two identical petitions filed by Ahmad Kuli Khan and Affan Aziz against the alleged high-handedness of the central office of the association against Aptma Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zone.
Isaac Ali Qazi and Barrister Babar Shazad Imran appeared for Ahmad Kuli Khan Khattak and Affan Aziz and apprised the court of the 'high-handedness' by the central Aptma against Aptma KP Zone and rejection of the nomination papers of the two candidates illegally and arbitrarily for the candidature of KP Executive Committee seats election 2018-19.
Justice Ikramullah took serious notice of the negation of rights to KP province of their representative body suspended the election and operation of the executive committee of central Aptma naturally resulting in suspension of election of the chairman of the central Aptma and issued notice to the respondents in the petitions and adjourned the proceedings to date in office. Aptma elects its office bearers on basis of formula of 3.2.1 among the three zones of Punjab, Sindh-Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on rotation basis. However, the Punjab using tactics and deprive KP of their term to head the association on their turn.
According to the formula, the year 2017-18 was the term of KP zone, but due to the high handedness of the Punjab dominated central executive committee the election were delayed through different tactics and the term was lapsed.
On the announcement of the schedule for the Aptma election 2018-19, Aptma KP Zone filed the nominations of Ahmad Kuli Khan and Affan Aziz. But, despite the decision of Peshawar their nominations were rejected.
But, the high handedness of the election committee, which was lacking the representation of KP zone once again, rejected their nominations and flimsy grounds and on appeals the election commission member representing Sindh-Balochistan Zone accepted their request but the stubborn attitude of two other members from Punjab continued. The Aptma central committee is depriving KP province of their representation on the election commission.