Challenging eligibility: Petitions against PPP stalwarts’ acceptance pile up

Candidates go to court against Fehmida Mirza, Khursheed Shah.

KARACHI: Several petitions have been filed at the Sindh High Court challenging the acceptance of nomination papers submitted by Pakistan Peoples Party leaders, including National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, Khursheed Shah and Agha Siraj Durrani.

Bibi Yasmeen Shah, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), challenged the acceptance of Dr Fehmida Mirza’s nomination papers to contest for NA-225. Shah wanted Mirza disqualified, claiming the PPP leader has defaulted on bank loans and is therefore ineligible to contest the elections.

Haroon Buriro challenged the acceptance of Khursheed Shah’s nomination papers, alleging that the former federal minister had “concealed” details about his property, including agricultural land, and profession in the forms. The petitioner also claimed that Khursheed Shah had misused his federal ministry office. He appealed the court to declare the PPP leader ineligible to contest for NA-199.

Najaf Ali Kumaryo, another candidate, challenged the acceptance of nomination papers filed by PPP’s Agha Siraj Durrani for PS-9 in Shikarpur. He contended the former local government minister had filed a statement before the returning officer that he was not involved in any case during the past six months. “But Durrani had been booked for beating the local government secretary, Shaukat Jokhio, at the Aram Bagh police station in Karachi,” stated the petition. Durrani should also be punished because he made a false statement before the returning officer, he added.

The acceptance of nomination papers of Chaudhry Asim and Sardar Wahid Bux Bhayo, who are PPP candidates intending to contest for PS-79 in Sanghar and NA-203 in Shikarpur, respectively, have been challenged. Faqir Noor Hasan and Mehboob Ali filed the petition, alleging they had concealed details about their properties.

Better late than never?

Iqbal Haider, a candidate backed by Awami Himayat Tehreek, also challenged rejection of his papers to contest election for NA-244 and NA-250 by the provincial election commissioner for being ‘late’. On Monday, a full bench of SHC was expected to take up the matter, but the judges were in Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2013.