ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court yesterday reserved judgment on the election petition of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz legislator.
The apex court in April 21, 2014 had suspended the Election Tribunal verdict that had declared Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi as winner in NA-89, Jhang.
Muhammad Akram secured 74,324 votes while Ludhianvi of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat bagged 71,598 votes.
The tribunal had disqualified PML-N MNA Sheikh Muhammad Akram as he did not mention about FIR, registered against him, in his nomination form. The tribunal had also directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to notify runner-up candidate Maulana Ludhianvi, as elected.
Sheikh Akram had challenged the Election Tribunal and ECP’s decision in the apex court.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, after hearing the counsels of all the parties reserved the judgment.
Ludhianvi counsels argued that the particulars of seconder and proposer of Sh Akram were wrong from the day one. They also said that PML-N legislator in his affidavit submitted before the Returning Officer had stated that there is no case pending against him.
On the other hand Sh Akram’s lawyer contended that no moral turpitude allegations are against his client but the only accusation is that his seconder and proposer’s particulars are wrong. He said these kinds of lapses could be corrected.
NA-89 has long been an ASWJ hub. In 1988, when it was known as Sipah-i-Sahaba, its founder Haq Nawaz Jhangvi won 39,000 votes at NA-89, but lost out to Begum Abida Hussain.
