The petitioner pointed out that, since the former CM had no beard, he is clearly in violation of Articles 62 and 63. PHOTO: FILE
The scrutiny of electoral hopefuls has seemingly turned into a theatre of the absurd.
On Wednesday, returning officers (ROs) sought comments from former chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif on four applications submitted against him seeking rejection of his nomination forms for the May 11 polls. While the filing of such applications is normal, some of the grounds seeking Shahbaz' rejection are anything but. In one application, the petitioner pointed out that, since the former CM had no beard, he was clearly in violation of Articles 62 and 63. He also said that Shahbaz had taken no action against a person who wrote ‘Pakistan murdabad, Pakhtoonkhwa zindabad’ on his ballot paper in the 1997 elections.
The other petitions against him are on a more serious note, alleging corruption and claiming that Shahbaz is not in fact ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Ameen’ as he has, in the petitioner’s words, failed to give correct information about his sources of income. Yet another petition refers to the former CM’s involvement in the Asghar Khan case.
By and large, nominees had to face a great deal of embarrassment when they showed up for scrutiny only to face what amounted to a religious studies exam, with many hopefuls fumbling recitations of the Dua-e-Qanoot.
Former Pashto film actress Musarrat Shaheen, however, was not one of them. Shaheen, who is now the chairperson of the Tehreek-e-Musawat and is contesting NA-24 Dera Ismail Khan against Maulana Fazlur Rehman, had her papers accepted by the RO after breezing through the scrutiny process. After flawlessly reciting Sura Akhlas and Dua-e-Qunoot, Shaheen offered to recite Surah Yaseen and any other Quranic passage of the judge’s choosing. The offer was declined. Shaheen attributed her knowledge of Islam to her father, whom she also said was the only love of her life.
Scrutiny or sexism?
Other female candidates had to face questions of quite a different nature.
In Lahore, aspiring candidate Tayyaba Sohail Cheema was told by the provincial election commissioner Punjab, Anwar Mehboob, that she didn’t look her age. “You don’t seem to be 35, show your face to all around so that people can see that you seem much younger,” Mehboob directed her.
Another candidate, Sadia Sohail, who was accompanied by her husband Shahid Sohail, got a lesson in parenting. “When your wife will become MNA or MPA, all the arrangements at your home will be ruined and no one will be there to attend your children and they will be ruined,” Mehboob told her husband.
On the other hand, aspiring candidate Shoaib Khan Niazi of NA 121, used the occasion to profess his love for his wife. When asked if he had any children by RO Rai Ayoub Khan Marth, Niazi replied that he did not. He went on to tell the court that he had a wife whom he loved very much and who loved him in return. “I am nothing without my wife,” said Niazi. Seemingly satisfied with this response, the RO then asked him if he offered prayers to which Niazi candidly replied that he did not.
Spelling Bee
Over in Karachi, Sunni Tehreek’s Ps-128 candidate Zahid Ahmad had to face embarrassment when he was asked 3 simple questions by Additional district and sessions court judge Farzana Iqbal. Ahmad was asked what the abbreviation LLB stands for and how to spell ‘graduation’ and ‘superintendent’. He was wrong on all three counts.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (24)
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Articles 62 and 63 are the gifts from that pious Self Appointed President General Zia, enjoy it, he is most likely chuckling at the nation's stupidity. If you apply this draconian article 62 and 63 then 95% of the grown ups in Pakistan could not qualify for anything. By the way Zia did not pay his fair share of taxes but he certainly took everything which was loose in the Presidential House, these articles 62 and 63 were designed for the people and not the usurpers.
The LLB question was a tough one, but for the rest thumbs up to EC. How can we tolerate those who dont even know about the basics of our country and our religion.
@Alia: Had to read your comment three times to get it. ET, copyediting much? :p
"When asked if he had any children by RO Rai Ayoub Khan Marth, Niazi replied that he did not." Mind your language, reporters, Rana Yasif / Khalid Qayyum.
Why don't we allow taliban to rule us, because these questions can be answered by every taliban. According to article 62,63 and returning officer taliban are sadiq and ameen.
There is no guideline for returning officer regarding 62-63,,that's why such things happening,,,why people get so offended when it is the part of constitution(think of it)
no one file complaints against Mian sab for Loans?
interesting fact remains the applicant's papers, who was produced in chains before the returning officer, were accepted without a single question. that shows the how seriously returning officers are taking their jobs. Sadiq and Ameen. i don't know if the constitution wants Prophets in the national assembly. time to wake up and realize there aren't going to be any there.
interesting fact remains the applicant's papers, who was produced in chains before the returning officer, were accepted without a single question. Sadiq and Ameen. i don't know if the constitution wants Prophets in the national assembly. time to wake up and realize there aren't going to be any there.
@Raj - USA: Source please? Spewing nonsense generalizations you will or wish to be true don't magically become fact.
Haha, funny ! :P
I am not surprised - these guys are just doing their job in the absence of any guidelines. Where was everyone when preparations were going on for these elections? With all the media watching the ROs have to put on a show for the eagerly watching audience. More of a Reality Show then scrutiny process – Are You Smarter Than A 6th Grader?
This is an attempt to obfuscate the whole matter, so that genuine complainants are overlooked.
Returning Officers are playing with the candidates by asking such questions. Actually they did not have time to do such activities, nor they are allowed to go and mix up with general public.
If they will not become mischievous now with the candidates then they will only get the chance to do similar activity after five years.
I was Wrong to support PML-N. plzz Vote for PTI. Vote for Change!
The LLB question is so unfair since that is actually a latin word: Legum Baccalaureus
It looks like even Islamic education was taught in schools the same way history and social studies have been taught.
I have been saying for sometime in my various comments that Pakistanis are not muslims by any standards and do not follow even one Islamic principle or have any knowledge of Islam. They just call themselves muslims. I have been proven correct on this assertion also as many have failed even to answer basic questions on Islam from the Returning Officers.
Saudis should be laughing in their sleeves. Indian muslims and non-muslims have far better knowledge of Islam than those who call themselves as muslims in Pakistan.
Circus of the absurd. This is more tragic and comedic than the best Shakesparian drama.
What sexist nonsense!
Judicial circus goes on!
oh dear God...
Idiotic petitions are drowning out valid ones for disqualifications, such as PML-N's involvement in the Asghar Khan case, which is a clear case of manipulating the elections. We must learn to uphold the law, and one law for all. No apologising for anyone.