Eligibility: Pleas against Khawaja Hassaan dismissed

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court dismissed identical petitions challenging the eligibility of PML-N leader Khwaja Ahmad Hassaan, who was elected unopposed as the Union Council-107 chairman. Justice Atir Mahmood announced the verdict, which he had reserved on February 8. PTI’s Zubair Niazi and others had challenged the election of Hassaan.

Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued the PML-N leader was not eligible to contest union council election as he had served with different statutory bodies.

One day before filing his nomination papers, Hassaan had resigned from vice-chairmanship of Lahore Development Authority, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Metro Bus Authority and Lahore Waste Management Company. Government official cannot contest elections for two years after relinquishing the job.

The government’s counsel had argued the offices held by Hassaan were honorary and did not fall within the ambit of government service.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2017.