ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered on Thursday Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin not to take part in the NA-120 by-election campaign in Lahore.

The ECP is hearing the matter of the minister taking part in the election campaign of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate ? a violation of the ECP?s code of conduct.

During today?s hearing, the minister?s counsel informed the ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan, that Yasin resides in an area which falls under the constituency.

The CEC responded that no one is contending that the minister should not go to his own house, but he cannot attend campaign-related events. He informed that a complaint against the minister was received by the ECP?s monitoring cell.

Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin

The ECP then adjourned the hearing into the case until September 14.

A tough contest is expected between the PML-N candidate, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf?s (PTI) Yasmin Rashid. She was defeated by Nawaz in the 2013 General Elections by a margin of around 40,000 votes.

The seat fell vacant after then prime minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court on July 28 in its judgment in the Panama Papers case.

At present, the PML-N campaign is being spearheaded by Nawaz?s daughter Maryam, as his wife Kulsoom is undergoing treatment for lymphoma in London.

Since the ECP?s code of conduct was issued, the PTI has been complaining against the bar on elected members participating in the election campaign. It is in this light that the party is holding a rally in Lahore on Friday (tomorrow), but not in the area which falls under the NA-120 constituency. 

The by-election is due on September 17.

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