The Election Commission of Pakistan has ordered Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to appear before the district election commissioner on March 26 in the disqualification case.

“We have heard preliminary arguments which need consideration on merits. Office to issue notice to respondent No. 5 (Ali Amin Gandapur) for the date fixed through the district election commissioner concerned,” the country’s top electoral authority said in its order on Tuesday.

“The service report of DEC shall reach this office before the date fixed. Case to come up on March 26, 2024,” it added.

The development came hours after Gandapur sought a plan of action within a month to recover the province’s arrears from the Centre. He directed the provincial authorities to seek legal experts’ services to raise the issue before the federal government.

The electoral body issued the order on a petition filed by JUI leader Muhammad Kafeel, seeking the disqualification of Gandapur who was elected MPA from PK-113 in Dera Ismail Khan.

The petitioner contended that 735 kanal land in Mouzah Girah Muhabbat and Muzah Rohri, Tehsil Kulachi, district DI Khan was transferred in the name of the KP chief minister on a “temporary basis while Asif Khan was the real owner.”

It added that Gandapur was the “ostensible owner” while Asif Khan was the “sole and absolute owner” of the property.

“That in assets and liabilities forms furnished for the year 2020 and duly published respondent No. 5 has shown the purchase of vehicle, Toyota Land Cruiser, from the funds which he received from the sale of 735 kanal land ie the subject property. Contended that on account of such wrong declaration, the respondent is not qualified to hold the office of member provincial assembly,” it said.