However, the code noted that political parties shall not propagate any opinion, or act in any manner prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan, or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality, or the maintenance of public order, or the integrity or independence of the judiciary or which defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the armed forces. The commission approved the final draft of the code on November 19, incorporating some of the suggestions and proposals by the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and some other parties.

A major portion of the document comprises sections of the codes of conduct of 1997 and 2002 elections. The draft is divided into three portions titled general conduct, meetings and polling day.

The code in clear terms said that political parties’ officials, candidates or others shall not encourage or enter into agreements debarring women from becoming candidates or exercising their right to vote in an election. Political parties and candidates shall firmly restrain their workers from exerting undue pressure on the print and

electronic media, including newspapers offices and printing press, or resorting to violence of any kind against the media. An incomplete Election Commission has okayed the code, and its meeting on finalisation of the document was boycotted by all but five parties. The code said that political parties, contesting candidates and their workers shall not propagate against the participation of any person in the elections on the basis of gender, ethnicity, religion or caste. Similarly, ministers shall not combine their official visits with election campaign. Moreover, political parties and contesting candidates shall not procure support or assistance of any civil servant to promote or hinder the election of a candidate.

Political parties shall refrain from speeches meant to arouse parochial and sectarian feelings and controversy between genders, sects, communities and linguistic groups. Likewise, appeals for violence or resorting to violence during meetings, processions or during the polling hours shall be strictly avoided, says the draft code. Parties or candidates will inform the concerned authorities 24 hours prior to their planned activity, and the administration and returning officers will ensure compliance with the laws and the election rules.

No person in any manner shall cause injury to any person or damage any property. Moreover, carrying and display of all kinds of lethal weapons and firearms shall not be allowed in public meetings, processions and official regulations shall be strictly observed. Aerial firing, use of crackers and other explosives at public meetings shall not be permitted.

The right of an individual to peaceful domestic life shall be respected, irrespective of any resentment that a political party or a candidate may have against such individual for his political opinion or activities. The code said that organising demonstrations or picketing before the house of such individuals with a view to protesting against his political opinion or activities shall be prohibited under any circumstances.

No political party or candidate shall permit followers to make use of any individual's land, building, compound wall etc., without his permission for hoisting party flags, hanging banners, pasting notices or writing slogans.

Parties and politicians shall refrain from making references to secret and confidential matters, which were within their official knowledge when they were in power. Nor shall they betray the confidence they enjoyed by virtue of their official position. Criticism of other political parties shall be confined to their policies and programmes, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties.

Political parties and candidates shall refrain from making such comments on international issues as are likely to strain the government's relations with other countries, nor shall they say anything or do anything in any manner, which might prejudice Pakistan’s foreign relations. Controversial and harsh remarks about leaders of other countries and their ideologies shall be avoided. No person or political party shall affix posters, hoardings, banners or leaflets or handbills larger than the sizes prescribed by the Election Commission.

The prescribed sizes are: posters 2-feet by 3-feet, hoardings 3-feet by 5-feet, banners 3-feet by 9-feet and leaflets and handbills 9-inch by 6 inches.