MODI CALLS UP IMRAN TO CONGRATULATE

New Delhi, July 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to Imran Khan, chairperson of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf, and congratulated him for his party emerging as the largest political party in the National Assembly of Pakistan in the recent elections.

The Prime Minister hoped that democracy will take deeper roots in Pakistan, a PMO statement said.

The Prime Minister also reiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighbourhood.

Earlier in the day, Mr Khan said that he will take oath as Pakistan’s PM on August 11, according to a media report.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday sought a written reply from Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over casting his vote in violation of the code of conduct during the general election 2018.

Imran Khan’s lawyer Babar Awan appeared before the ECP earlier on Monday, after the electoral body issued a notice to the PTI chairman for violating the secrecy of ballot by openly casting his vote in the NA-53 constituency on July 25.

Instead of going behind the voting screen to cast his vote in secrecy, Mr Khan was seen publicly stamping the ballot paper on the table with TV cameras filming him.

Neither the presiding officer nor other polling staff objected to the violation.

After hearing Mr Awan's argument over the matter, the ECP ordered a written reply from the PTI chairman and adjourned the hearing till August 16.

According to Section 185 of the Election Act, a person can be given a six-month jail sentence and/or fine of `1,000 for not casting their vote in secrecy.