Election postponed in NA-60 following Hanif Abbasi's life sentence

Polls in Rawalpindi's constituency will take place with other postponed elections in the country

RAWALPINDI: A day after Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) candidate Hanif Abbasi was given life sentence in the ephedrine quota case, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday announced postponing of election in NA-60 Rawalpindi-IV.

The general election in the aforementioned constituency shall take place after July 25 along with other postponed elections in the country, said a notification issued by the ECP.

The PML-N leader stands disqualified from contesting upcoming polls following last night's verdict. Abbasi, who was competing against Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid, failed to defend himself before the Rawalpindi's anti-narcotic court.



Speaking to Daily Express, Abbasi said that he was neither sorry nor disappointed by the judgment. “I will challenge the verdict in the high court."

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) officials later arrested Abbasi from the court premises. He was reportedly shifted to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where ousted premier Nawaz Sharif, his daughter, and son-in-law are also imprisoned.

reacting to the verdict, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said the conviction of the former federal minister in the ephedrine case demonstrates strength and independence of the country's judiciary.