Reserved seats: Former PML-N nazim submits papers on JUI-F’s behalf

Decision could deal heavy blow to the former

BANNU: The former tehsil nazim of Bannu submitted nomination papers for reserved seats on behalf of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl for both district and town councils on Wednesday.

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune Malik Raza Khan, who is a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, reportedly submitted nomination papers after entering into an understanding with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leader Malik Akram Khan Durrani.

The seats include those for women, minorities and labourers and peasants.

According to analysts, Malik Raza’s decision to consult JUI-F could deal a heavy blow to PML-N, especially after one of its former MNAs Malik Nasar Khan joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

A day earlier, ECP directed all parties to ask their members who plan to contest the re-polls to file nomination papers for reserved seats by July 23.

The directive was only for those parties who did not file nominations papers of their candidates under the previous schedule or their quota was exhausted at the time of the polls held on
May 30.

Scrutiny of the nomination papers for reserved seats will be held on July 25 whereas appeals against rejection or acceptance of the papers will be dealt with on July 28.

The deadline for the withdrawal of candidature is July 31 and the final list of candidates will be made public on August 1. A list of names for those candidates who will obtain the reserved seats will be announced on August 2.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2015.