Shah Mahmood Qureshi barred from contesting polls in Multan constituencies
MULTAN/RAWALPINDI/KARACHI/
The former foreign minister’s petition against the rejection of his nomination papers by the local returning officer (RO) was rejected by an election tribunal.
The former foreign minister had filed appeal against RO’s decision. Appellate tribunal judge Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar announced the decision. On the other hand, the PTI vice chairman’s children, Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi and Mehrbano Qureshi, were deemed eligible to contest from NA-150 and NA-151, respectively. Zain’s nomination papers for PP-218 were also approved.
Speaking to the media, Qureshi’s lawyer announced that they would appeal against the rejection and approach the divisional bench.
It should be noted that Qureshi and his son’s nomination papers from Karachi were approved by the local RO. In addition, his papers from Umerkot, Sindh NA-214 were accepted as well.
Meanwhile the order approving Fawad Chaudhary’s nomination papers was withdrawn on Saturday after his wife Hiba Fawad Chaudhry was declared ineligible to contest elections for ‘hiding facts’.
The election tribunal, after confirming objections against Hiba Chaudhary concerning three undisclosed foreign trips and nine bank accounts, disqualified her from contesting elections in the Jhelum provincial constituency.
The rejection came after Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) presented records of Hiba’s foreign trips, whereas the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) provided details of the bank accounts.
In light of these findings, Fawad also came under scrutiny for not disclosing the information in his nomination papers either. This resulted in the acceptance order issued for the former PTI leader’s nomination papers for NA-60 and NA-61 being withdrawn.
The tribunal, issuing notices to Fawad Chaudhry for January 9, questioned “why should the former information minister not be disqualified for hiding facts?”
With the withdrawal of the approval for the nomination papers, the threat of disqualification looms large on Fawad’s head
Separately, some PTI leaders and other candidates received relief as appeals against the decisions of returning officers start being accepted.
Sindh High Court Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, addressing the eligibility of returning officers, remarked, “No one can be prevented from participating in elections based solely on preliminary proceedings. Candidates are being unjustly hindered from contesting elections knowingly.”
“It seems the returning officer rejected nomination papers impulsively,” Justice Memon stated,
In the Sindh High Court, appeals against the decisions of returning officers were heard for PTI’s Subhan Sahil from NA-243, Amjad Afridi from NA-242, Hassan Chohan from PS-113, Makhdoom Fazal from Hala.
The tribunal also accepted appeals for PPP’s Rauf Ahmed and independent candidate Raffia Hassan from PS-126, independent candidates Jamalud Din and Dildar Ali from NA-237, and Fazal Zeshan from NA-237.
The tribunal also criticised the election commission’s chief, stating, “How can we proceed when returning officers cannot accurately identify the facts even with the use of modern technology?” Justice Memon engaging in a conversation with candidates and lawyers, remarked, “Go, prepare for the election battle.”
PTI’s Asad Qaiser was granted permission to run for election from NA 19 and PK 50 while Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra was cleared to take part in election from three constituencies.
Election tribunal accepted appeals of PTI’s Subhan Sahil and Amjad Afridi and allowed them to contest election from NA 243 and 242, respectively. PTI’s Malik Niaz Ahmad Jhakar was granted permission to vie for election from NA 182 (Layyah).
Similarly, PTI candidate from PS 113 Hasnain Chohan was also cleared by election tribunal to run election. The Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Rauf
Ahmad’s appeal against RO decision to reject nomination paper was adopted by the election tribunal. Independent candidates Rafiya Hassan (PS 126), Jamaluddin, Deedar Ali’s appeal were also accepted by tribunals and they were allowed to contest elections scheduled for Feb 8.
PTI candidate from Haala, Makhdoom Fazal was given go ahead by the tribunal to vie for election.
A tribunal, while declaring RO’s decision null and void, allowed Fiza Zeeshan to contest election from NA-237. Appellate Tribunal Judge Adnanul Karim Memon expressed his anger over the ability of returning officers.
The judge while passing remarks said,” Are the candidates being deliberately barred from contesting polls. It seems the returning officer rejected nomination papers in bulk as a matter of fun.”
He said no one could be barred from contesting election merely on grounds that he was facing cases in courts. The judge also rebuked the Election Commission. He then asked the candidate to go and prepare for contesting election.
Arbab Muhammad Memon, an independent candidate from NA 224 was allowed to vie for polls. PML-N candidate Riaz Ahmad was cleared by the tribunal for PS 93 election. Appeal of PPP’s Rauf Ahmad from PS 106 was accepted.