Qadir Patel’s nomination papers rejected for suppressing facts, assets

KARACHI: The returning officer on Wednesday rejected the nomination papers of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Abdul Qadir Patel for suppressing facts and assets.

The PPP leader had submitted nomination papers for Karachi’s NA 248 constituency.

According to a notification issued in this regard, the returning officer stated that Patel suppressed material facts and undervalued his admitted assets, which amounts to a misstatement in his form/affidavit.

“He is, therefore, not eligible and competent person (sic) within the meaning of Article 62 of the Constitution of Pakistan and sub-clause (a) of clause 9 of Section 62 of Elections Act, 2017,” it said.

The document outlined that Patel mentioned three immovable properties in DHA Karachi, showing their values as Rs850,000, Rs2,000,000 and Rs5,000.

The PPP leader had declared that a 500 square yard “immovable property” in DHA Phase 9 was worth Rs5,000 claiming that the plot was allotted to his wife who was an employee of DHA.

The notification also raises questions over the declared cost of Patel’s overseas trips. The PPP candidate declared that Rs230,000 were spent in 2015 on his multiple visits to the UAE, one that lasted three days, another for four months, a third for three months as well as a trip to London where he spent five months. The notification termed the claim as “unbelievable”.

Patel also attached his travel expenses of 2016, which amounted to Rs115,000. He had visited London and UAE for three months each.

The notification further said that the PPP candidate declared that US$30,000, UAE Dirham 5,000 and Rs9,000 have been deposited in his wife’s bank accounts, however, there is no mention of the amount in the declaration/affidavit Form B of his nomination form.

All the nominations forms submitted to the ECP are currently undergoing scrutiny.