PTI challenges Pervaiz Rashid's nomination papers for Senate elections

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenged on Wednesday senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Pervaiz Rashid's nomination papers for the upcoming Senate elections.

The objections were filed by PTI MPA Zainab Omar through her lawyer Rana Mudassar, to the returning officer/provincial election commissioner in Lahore.

The filed petition contended that Rashid submitted nomination papers for the general seat, whereas the affidavit he submitted was for the seat of technocrat.

The petitioner termed the action as self-contrary, concealment, fraudulent and improper thus, arguing that Rashid was not qualified for contesting the Senate election.

“Rashid has concealed the material facts from qua his criminal records/cases in the declaration form/affidavit. This score alone is sufficient to disqualify the candidate from contesting any election,” the petition stated.

It further added that the PML-N leader was a defaulter of huge amounts of payments owed to the parliament lodges. The petitioner maintained that Article 63-b of the Constitution was clear in this regard and disqualified the candidate from contesting any election.

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“Rashid has been failed to provide any information in his declaration form/nomination papers which is a clear violation of mandatory requirement and mala-fides on the Part Mr. Pervaiz Rashid. These facts clearly disqualify the candidate from contesting any election,” stated one of the objections.

It added that Rashid has been found to have delivered speeches against the state institutions as well as against maintaining public order.

“Therefore, as per Article of 63-g of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Pervaiz Rashid is not competent to contest any election. Hence his nomination papers be rejected,” the petition added.

The petition further contended to reject Rashid’s nomination papers on the grounds of being found guilty for leaking confidential information related to national security. An inquiry was conducted, and a report was made by Justice retired Aamir Raza.

“It is worth mentioning over here that the report has never been challenged till today and has attained finality,” the petition stated, adding that the PML-N leader had given misstatements qua his income and taxes in his nomination form/declaration form.