Balochistan PTI, PPP chiefs knocked out of election race

Tribunal cites murder cases against both Rind and Jattak as the main reason for their disqualification


Mohammad Zafar June 27, 2018
Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind. PHOTO: FILE

QUETTA: The ECP’s appellate tribunal, set up at the Balochistan High Court, on Tuesday disqualified PTI chief Yar Muhammd Rind and PPP President Ali Madad Jattak from contesting the 2018 general elections.

The tribunal’s two-member bench, comprising Justice Hashim Kakar and Justice Ejaz Swati, hearing the petitions filed by both the parties’ candidates barred them from contesting the elections.

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During the hearing, the appellate tribunal’s bench disqualified Rind on the grounds that he possessed a fake degree and had murder cases against him.  The bench rejected Rind’s plea seeking permission from the courts to allow him to contest election from PB-17 and NA-260 Kachi and Jhal Magsi.

“Our opponents are afraid of their defeat in the upcoming elections which is why they have been going for grotesque tactics against me and my father,” said Sardar Khan Rind, son of Rind, while talking to the media after his nomination papers were accepted.

In a separate hearing, the appellate tribunal disqualified PPP President Jattak from contesting general elections on July 25, citing murder cases against him.

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Both the disqualified candidates have announced they will file their petitions in the Balochistan High Court against the decision of the appellate tribunal.

Dispelling hearsay regarding PTI chief’s lifetime disqualification, PTI Balochistan spokesperson Babar Yousafzai said, “Rumours regarding Rind’s lifetime disqualification are baseless and false.”

He said, “We had filed an application in the election tribunal regarding the ECP’s rejection, but now we have decided to knock on the doors of the Balochistan High Court regarding Rind’s disqualification from contesting general elections 2018.”

The ECP on Tuesday released details of assets of politicians and parliamentarians of Balochistan. Among them, Rind is the richest with assets of more than Rs500 million.

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