Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad apologized to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) related to a show-cause notice served to him after the minister levelled allegations on the commission and its chief, reported Aaj News.

A two-member bench of the ECP conducted hearing of the case against two federal ministers, Fawad and Azam Swati who had been served notices by the commission. While Fawad appeared before the commission, Swati did not.

During the hearing, the federal minister maintained he did not want to indulge in the show-cause notice issue and requested the commission to conclude the case.

Fawad had criticised the ECP for raising questions on the electronic voting machines the government plans to use in the next general elections.

Fawad also told the commission many of the statements included in the case were not said by him and "it was my job [to give statements] too" to which a member of commssion from Sindh remarked he was hearing for the first time that using abusive language was also a job.

Responding to the remarks, the federal minister said he was a spokesperson for the government and federal cabinet and he did not use abusive language against any one. He also requested the commission accept his apology.

The ECP asked Fawad to submit a written apology to which the federal minister agreed.

Meanwhile, the commission was informed that Swati did not appear before the commission due to a session of Senate which would be held today.

Expressing its ire on the absence of Federal Minister for Railways, the commission said Swati was being told to submit response in the commission. If the minister would not respond till the next hearing, the ECP would indict him, said the commission.

The commission adjourned the hearing of the case till December 3.

In September a meeting of Senate Standing Committee held to discuss proposed amendments in Elections (Amendment) Act, 2021. During the meeting, Swati lashed out at the commission and accused it of "always" rigging polls. He said such institutions should be “set on fire”.

On the same day, Fawad also alleged the chief election commissioner for being "mouthpiece of the opposition".

In October, the commission issued show-cause notices to the federal ministers for levelling allegations against the ECP.