LAHORE - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, former NA speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Pervez Malik, Aleem Khan, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Khawaja Asif and others’ nomination papers were challenged before the election tribunals of Lahore High Court yesterday.
The time limit to challenge the candidates’ nomination papers before the tribunals ended on Friday. On the same day, PTI Chief Imran Khan also challenged the decision of a returning officer rejecting his nomination papers for NA-95, Mianwali.
PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid challenged nomination papers of Maryam Nawaz for NA-125 while Justice and Democratic Party leader Mudassir Chaudhry moved an appeal against the acceptance of Imran Khan’s nomination papers for NA-131, Lahore.
PPP leader Iftikhar Shahid challenged Aleem Khan’s papers for NA-129, contending he has concealed his offshore companies in his papers.
He said Aleem Khan did not mention details of his assets in his papers and the NAB authorities are investigating him for having hidden properties and assets.
A voter, Sarmad Hanif, challenged the nomination papers of Khawaja Muhammad Asif for NA-73, Sialkot. The election tribunal, however, allowed Nadia Aziz of PTI to contest election in NA-90. Dr Yasmin Rashid also questioned the nomination papers of Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for NA-129. Pervez Malik’s papers were also challenged.
A tribunal comprising Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi issued notices to Firdous Ashiq Awan and others in different appeals.
Another tribunal headed by Justice Faisal Zaman issued a notice to PML-N leader Alia Aftab while PTI candidate Jamshaid Iqbal Cheema was also issued a notice to explain his position regarding his nomination papers for NA-127.
AYAZ SADIQ DEMANDS REMOVAL OF NA-129 RO
INP adds: Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, on Friday demanded the removal of NA-129 Returning Officer (RO) Ghulam Murtaza Uppal.
In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Sadiq, who is contesting on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) from NA-129 his hometown Lahore constituency claimed the RO is biased and supporting his political opponent, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Aleem Khan.
Sadiq claimed he was summoned in person by the RO during scrutiny of nomination papers whereas Aleem Khan was excused and only called in (on June 19) after the PML-N protested the move.
The letter states that Aleem was sent back by the RO without any questioning to “continue with his campaign” whereas the former NA Speaker was asked irrelevant and offensive questions regarding his trips abroad and work in his constituency.
Sadiq said that it would be deemed pre-poll rigging if the RO continues on his post, adding that the PML-N would not accept the RO’s decision regarding the successful candidate on polling day.
Sadiq had defeated PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the 2013 elections from his home constituency of NA-122 (old delimitation) and also managed to defeat Aleem Khan in the 2015 by-election on the same seat.
