RO clears Nawaz's nomination papers for NA-15 Mansehra

The nomination papers of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for NA-15 Mansehra were accepted by the returning office on Thursday. 

The RO, Hajra Sami, heard arguments from both sides and rejected the objection raised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). 

PTI senator Azam Swati challenged Nawaz's nomination papers and the objections were filed by PTI leader Shahid Rafiq and citizen Zakaria Tariq.

Swati argued that the RO was not authorised to declare Nawaz eligible for the upcoming elections as he was found dishonest under Article 62 (1OF) of the Constitution for corruption.

The PTI leader further argued that the PML-N chief was also disqualified by a five-member apex court bench for life. He added that no forum can deviate from the decision of the apex court. 

Read ECP deadline for candidates to submit nomination papers for polls expires

Legal conundrum

The former premier was disqualified in the Panama Papers case in July 2017 by the Supreme Court (SC).

The judges of the apex court had ruled that Nawaz had been dishonest to the parliament and the courts in not disclosing his employment in a Dubai-based company in his 2013 nomination papers, and thus, could not be deemed fit for his office.

Later, an accountability court awarded him 10 years imprisonment in the Avenfield apartments and seven years in Al-Azizia references. However, he has been acquitted in both cases by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

However, before the general elections in 2024, the SC will resolve the contradiction between the judicial decision and the parliamentary legislation on whether disqualification under Article 62 of the Constitution means for life or five years.