Nawaz’s papers for NA-119 accepted

Key politicians face poll objections; ROs ask them to file replies.

RAWALPINDI/ LAHORE:

Despite three petitions filed against Nawaz Sharif, the returning officer for NA-119 accepted the PML-N chief’s nomination papers on Friday. 

RO Sajjad Ahmed Sindhar, while dismissing a petition against Nawaz which stated that he was ineligible under Articles 62 and 63, accepted his papers for the National Assembly constituency NA-119.

The petition was rejected on the basis that the petitioner had neither attached a copy of his NIC nor signed the application.

In another petition filed by Iqtidar Haider, the petitioner contended that the PML-N leader does not fulfill the requirements under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution. The petitioner went on to point out that Nawaz, who claims to be a devout Muslim, does not even support a beard.

Another RO of NA-120 asked Nawaz’s counsel to file a written reply in response to the two petitions filed against Nawaz in NA-120.  One of the petitions alleges that the PML-N chief is guilty of receiving money from the agencies in the Asghar Khan case.

The registering officers, on the fifth day of scrutiny, sought written replies on petitions filed against the nomination papers of Nawaz, Imran Khan, Humayun Akhtar Khan and Kashmala Tariq by April 7.

Petition filed against Imran by Muhammad Hafeez, seeking the rejection of his nomination papers for NA-65 (Sargodha II) alleged that Imran was a gambler and had committed adultery. Since Imran had committed such ‘heinous’ crimes he should not be allowed to contest the elections, he claimed.

Objections were also raised over the nomination papers of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for allegedly concealing facts about his property and submitting ‘dubious’ certificates.

Petitioner Khuram Munir Malik submitted an application to the returning officer, District and Sessions Judge Yar Muhammad Gondal of NA-52, saying Chaudhry Nisar had filed fake educational documents.

Hafiz Khalid Shehzad Farooqi filed a petition against nomination forms of Hamayun Akhtar Khan and Kashmala Tariq accusing them of ‘immoral activity’. Petitions were also filed against Sohail Zia Butt and Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq.

Sheikh Rashid head of the Awami Muslim League and Sadeeq Al Farooq of PML-N are among those whose papers have been accepted.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2013.