Imran Khan gets clearance for NA-95, NA-131

• Former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s appeal challenging dismissal of nomination papers for NA-53 adjourned

LAHORE: An appellate tribunal of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday allowed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to contest from Mianwali’s NA-95 and Lahore’s NA-131 constituencies.

Appellate tribunal judge, Justice Faisal Zaman Khan heard Khan’s appeal against the rejection of his candidacy for the NA-95 constituency by the returning officer (RO), while Justice Tahir Sheikh took up Khan’s plea challenging the rejection of his papers from NA-131.

The respective tribunals dismissed the RO’s objections, allowing Imran Khan to contest from the two constituencies.

During the hearing of NA-95 case, Imran’s counsel Babar Awan argued that his client has declared all his assets and his client’s nomination papers were rejected on technical grounds.

“The RO rejected the PTI chief’s nomination papers, alleging that the affidavit was not submitted on time and that the worth of all of his assets was not mentioned,” Khan’s counsel said.

Requesting the tribunal to declare RO’s decision null and void, Awan pleaded the tribunal to allow Imran to contest

The opposition argued that Khan had not declared all his assets in his nomination papers and the affidavit he submitted was not certified by an oath commissioner.

Furthermore, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s lawyer said that Khan had not listed the assets of his children. Khan’s papers only mention the assets of his sons but there is no mention of his alleged daughter.

Earlier, the appellate tribunal had issued a notice to the returning officer and other parties after Imran’s nomination papers were dismissed from NA-95 Mianwali constituency.

The PTI chief had submitted nominations from National Assembly constituencies in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Bannu and Mianwali.

Imran’s candidacy was rejected from NA-53 (Islamabad) and NA-95 (Mianwali).

KHAQAN ABBASI’S CANDIDACY FOR NA-53:

Meanwhile, a tribunal in Rawalpindi adjourned the hearing pertaining to the RO’s rejection of former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Sardar Mehtab’s candidature in NA-53.

During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani remarked that a huge number of nomination papers were rejected due to incomplete bank accounts details and inquired whether the candidates were unable to comprehend the questions.

“Were the affidavits in Urdu?” he asked. A representative from the ECP replied that the language used was English.

The judge also questioned the candidates over their performance in their constituencies. From the ECP, he inquired if the former prime minister should be given benefit of doubt. When the commission replied in the positive, the tribunal directed authorities to assist in the matter and the adjourned hearing till June 25.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media outside the court hearing, Abbasi said that if the elections are not held on time, those responsible should be proceeded against under Article 6 (treason) of the Constitution.

The former prime minister said that the nation, not courts, decide the fate of elections.

Responding to a question about fielding candidates against former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Abbasi commented that the party had made the decision. “The party’s decision is our decision,” he said.

Abbasi is contesting on the PML-N’s ticket from NA-53, as well as his home constituency of NA-57 Murree. His nomination from Murree has also been challenged in the Rawalpindi appellate tribunal.

In Balochistan, the appellate tribunal will continue hearing appeals against decisions taken by ROs in the province.

A total of 255 appeals have been filed by candidates in the south-western province – out of which 148 candidates have been approved while nine decisions taken by ROs have been sustained. The decision for other appeals will be announced by June 27. The district returning officers will be finalising polling schemes today.

Moreover, the election tribunal reserved its verdict on an appeal against PTI leader Fawad Chaudhary and Aamir Kiyani’s nomination papers.

The PTI candidate for NA-67 Jehlum, Fawad Chaudhry’s nomination papers were challenged by Syed Haider Abbas, saying that Fawad Chaudhry has not paid taxes on agriculture lands and his name was different from the one written on nomination papers, adding that the name as per ID card is Fawad Hussain.

The court first dismissed his case but later clarification was given that Syed Haider Abbas Kazmi is a candidate of Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party. On this, the court accepted the application and summoned Fawad Chaudhry.