RAWALPINDI: An election tribunal rejected former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s nomination papers for NA-51 constituency in Gojar Khan, reported Express News on Monday.
Ashraf had filed an appeal with the tribunal against the rejection of his nominations by the returning officer (RO).
The tribunal, comprising Justice Rauf Ahmad Sheikh and Justice Mamoon Rashid of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench, heard the arguments from both the sides and reserved its judgement on Monday.
Returning Officer Khalid Arshad had rejected Ashraf’s papers after Raja Irfan Aziz, a relative of the candidate’s political rival, complained that the former prime minister had misused discretionary funds in his constituency.
The nomination papers were rejected on the basis of awarding a contract to the National Logistic Cell (NLC), for involvement in the Rental Power Projects case and in a contempt of court case for writing a letter to the Supreme Court.
Sheikh Zameer Hussain, representing the returning officer, told the tribunal that Ashraf had awarded a contract to NLC without advertising it.
He said that Ashraf has also increased the funds allocated for the project while scope of the work remained the same.
“He also elevated his two son-in-laws on high posts which are the glaring examples of nepotism, favouritism and naked corruption,” he added.
Hussain said Ashraf has been declared of being not sagacious and righteous by Islamabad High Court and has been issued a notice by the Supreme Court in a contempt of court case.
Leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Senator Farooq H Naek appeared before the two-member tribunal as a counsel for the petitioner, seeking an order to overturn the verdict of the RO.
Naek contended that the nomination papers of his client were wrongly rejected as he never misused discretionary powers to allocate development funds for his constituency.
He said Ashraf has the legal and constitutional right to contest the general elections.
He added that an appeal would be filed in the Supreme Court against the tribunal’s decision.
COMMENTS (18)
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First "Fake",now "Invalid".Why was he forced to resign earlier?Is it because of Change in Loyalties.Instances of Glaring Injustices can be seen in these elections.@Spoiled Brat:
@Abid Khan: This "victim" card wont work any more.In other words,Do The Crime.Do The Time.
@Abid Khan: Stop spewing this garbage. These leaders did nothing for Pakistan and everything to destroy Pakistan.
Very good decision Indeed kick out all corrupt enemies of pakistan in coming elections.
JEAY BHUTTO
He deserved this but could have avoided if he had joined N league....
This is called sultan rahi justice? when some one spend budget equal to whole south Punjab in lahore, he is visionary in the eyes these judges.
@Abid Khan: Abid sahib. The thing is that there are "many" cracks in the current system and some big fishes have gotten away. Jamshed Dasti is small fish compared to Nawaz, Zardari, Shahbaz, who are big fishes. Now, while you do lament that Nawaz/ Shahbaz are free, bear in mind that Zardari is also free. Remember the images of Wahid Shamsul Hasan removing boxes of evidence from Switzerland? If that evidence was worthless, why bother to remove the original documents?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7BX3aKRUc
http://pkpolitics.com/2009/12/01/zardaris-swiss-case-evidence-removed/
Only after these two of three big fish are caught, will the country improve. Otherwise, politics of "muk muka" or share in the plunder will continue.
Every person convicted of corruption or fraudulent statements should be sent to a prison for a minimum of 5 years and all benefits received from the state treasury or looted otherwise by them and their associates should be recovered along with interest at the prevailing interbank rate.
So Musharraf has been allowed to contest from Chitral, Jamshed Dasti has been allowed to contest along with the likes of Ludhianvi but Raja Pervez Ashraf isn't?
This country only deserves to become North Korea and Burma. One can't help feeling pity for the next Prime Minister be it Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan or anyone else.
Establishment lives on!
This is the best news I've heard in a long time! I hope his son-in-law is also recalled from the crucial World Bank post, which he is not qualified/ experienced to hold at all.
@Syed Hussain Raza: Not a fan of Dasti, but his degree was INVALID, NOT FAKE. So he is not convicted.
This is not enough dear SC-CJ.
Supreme court should just confiscate all of their financial assets, ask these pepole o find jobs, travel using public transportation and live in a rental house. It will be great.
This is very good news.Both PMs of PPPP should be investigated for frauds and corruption by independent body.And make the trial public please
curtains for raja!