The Returning Officer (RO) of Jhelum's PP-27 constituency, taking notice of a violation of the ECP code of ethics committed by federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Ghulam Sarwar Khan, issued them separate show-cause notices on Friday, DawnNewsTV reported.

Both the federal ministers reportedly paid visits and announced development schemes in the above-mentioned constituency where the schedule for the October 14 by-elections has been announced.

The notices state that the visits are in "clear violation of Section 233 of the Election Act, 2017, and subsequent code of conduct that clearly bars visits of ministers etc and announcement or inauguration of developmental schemes in the constituency where election schedule has been announced".

The ministers have been directed to appear in person or through counsel on October 9 at 11am "to explain their position" as to why a case should not be pursued against them under Article 204 of the Constitution read with Section 10 of the Election Act, 2017.

The notices warn both recipients that failure to appear before the RO shall result in the matter being forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan.