SC hears Elahi’s nomination plea today

The Supreme Court is set to hear on Friday (today) an appeal filed by PTI Central President Parvez Elahi against the rejection of his nomination papers for the upcoming general elections.

A three-member bench led by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Athar Minallah will hear the appeal.
Elahi, currently detained at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, submitted his nomination papers in three National Assembly—NA-59, NA-64, and NA-69—and four Punjab Assembly—PP-23, PP-34, PP-32, and PP-42—constituencies. However, various returning officers (ROs) rejected his papers.

He challenged the decision of the ROs at an election tribunal, which upheld the ROs’ verdict. Elahi then moved the Lahore High Court (LHC), which on January 13 upheld the tribunal's order.

The PTI leader later filed an appeal against the LHC verdict in the Supreme Court, naming the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the election tribunal as respondents.

Another three-member bench of the Supreme Court will also take up today the appeal filed by PTI leader Sanam Javed against the rejection of her nomination papers.

Read  Elahi moves SC against papers rejection

This bench will be led by Justice Munib Akhar and comprise Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Shahid Waheed. Interestingly, since September last year—when Justice Qazi Faez Isa took charge as the chief justice of Pakistan (CJ)—no case of political nature was listed before a bench comprising Justice Akhtar.

Meanwhile, a three-member bench led by CJ Isa on Thursday set aside the order of the LHC regarding the rejection of nomination papers of Sana Ullah Khan Masti Khel, who wanted to contest elections at the National Assembly’s NA-91 constituency in Bhakkar as an independent.

An RO had rejected the nomination papers of Sana, who contested the previous elections on the ticket of the PTI. An election tribunal set aside the RO’s order. However, the Multan bench of the LHC overturned the tribunal’s order dated January 5.

During the proceedings, the complainant's lawyer adopted the stance that Sana was an absconder. The CJP observed that the court would allow him to contest the election if he was not involved in any heinous crime.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar noted that the petitioner was no longer an absconder as he had been granted bail. Justice Musarrat Hilali remarked that Sana was accused of burning tires in protest.

The CJP observed that the LHC announced the verdict in haste without hearing the respondent. It is discrimination to oust someone from the electoral process, he remarked. The court subsequently accepted the appeal of Sana Ullah Khan Masti Khel, allowing him to participate in the polls on Feb 8.