By-election: Kulsoom Nawaz’s papers accepted for NA-120

RO rejects all objections made by rival candidates

Rejecting all objections filed by candidates of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), returning officer on Thursday accepted nomination papers of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, the PML-N nominee for NA-120 (Lahore).

The objections were filed under the Representation of Peoples Act 1976 by Faisal Mir of the PPP and Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry of the PAT.

They said Ms Nawaz did not disclose the agreement for a United Arab Emirates (UAE) Iqama (work permit) attached with her nomination papers.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Asif Kirmani, speaking to the media at the Election Commission Office Lahore, said: “[The returning officer has rejected] all nine objections raised by rival candidates against Begum Nawaz.”



He said the opponents were given ample time to present their argument and explain their objections. “Their arguments are entirely based on hearsay with no corroborative evidence to back it.”

The adviser said the objections were similar to political ranting of PTI Chairman Imran Khan against Nawaz Sharif since the first long march.

“It is important to understand that the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif is not due to prayers offered before the Supreme Court,” he said, adding, “He was disqualified on technical grounds.”

Kirmani said political parties should hold themselves accountable before levelling such baseless objections and wasting everyone’s time.

“In hatred of Nawaz Sharif, opposition parties have started harming the country,” he added.



“With the acceptance of the nomination papers, we once again stood victorious by defeating politics of negativity.”

The adviser said despite baseless allegations, we restrained our lawyers from hitting back on nomination papers of opposition parties.

“We believe in democracy and we want everyone to have an open and fair battle through votes.”

Addressing the PTI chairman, he said: “The PML-N won’t let you run this time.”

He said the PML-N would win the by-election by a landslide and surety bonds of the PTI candidate would be confiscated.

Regarding Begum Nawaz, who left for a London-bound flight with a return ticket of September 25 before her appearance at the ECP, he said she would return before the elections.

The legal team of Begum Nawaz termed the much talked-about ‘Ikama’ objection baseless. They said the Ikama was attached with her nomination papers, though there was no legal requirement for it.



They said they also sought permission from their client to raise objection on the nomination papers of her opponents. However they said they were advised to abstain from any such activity and allow all contestants to have open battle in the election.

Meanwhile, former information minister Pervaiz Rashid said Nawaz Sharif won the elections from NA-120 without a single day of campaigning. “Similarly, Begum Nawaz, who is revered as an elder sister and a mother in the constituency, does not require any political campaign to win.”

He said NA 120 was our constituency where voters would do campaigning for the PML-N.

He said Begum Nawaz had left for London for a pre-scheduled check-up.

JUI-F Chief meets Nawaz

Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman met Nawaz Sharif at his Jati Umra residence to discuss political situation in the country.

Sources disclosed that matters relating to articles 62 and 63 were discussed at length in the discussion.

It was revealed that Rehman had expressed his reservations to the former premier and informed of his party’s stand if such an amendment was brought.

It was further revealed that Maulana Fazl on behalf of coalition partners of the PML-N government, expressed his all-out support for Nawaz’s stance on civil supremacy and for protecting the sanctity of vote.