Daily Times

The Election Tribunal of Peshawar High Court, Abbottabad bench on Friday issued notice to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on a petition filed by PTI leader Azam Swati, who challenged the Returning Officer’s decision regarding acceptance of the nomination of the three time Prime Minister.

Azam Swati’s lawyer told the Tribunal that Nawaz Sharif was disqualified for life by the apex court in Panama case and his nomination papers may be rejected.

The Tribunal issued notice to Nawaz Sharif for Saturday, tomorrow. The nomination papers of PML-N Quaid for the National Assembly’s constituency (NA 15) Mansehra has been accepted. Azam Swati has also challenged the Returning Officer’s decision regarding rejection of his nomination papers. A total of 25 candidates in Hazara division have submitted petitions challenging the decision of the ROs.

The Election Tribunal in Abbottabad decided on Friday to dismiss the nomination papers of Azam Khan Swati, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former federal minister.

The decision came as a response to Azam Swati’s challenge against the earlier rejection of his candidacy for the National Assembly seat NA-15 in Mansehra by the Returning Officer. Azam Swati took the matter to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) Abbottabad Bench, filing an appeal against the decision of the Returning Officer. The appeal underwent a hearing on Friday, presided over by Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel.

The court, in its judgment, supported the decision of the Returning Officer, ultimately rejecting Asad Swati’s appeal.

The Returning Officer had initially disqualified Azam Swati during the scrutiny of his nomination papers. However, the specific reasons for his disqualification were not immediately disclosed to the public.

In light of the Election Tribunal’s decision, Azam Swati’s aspirations to participate in the upcoming National Assembly elections from NA-15 have officially been thwarted. The ruling reinforces the authority and validity of the Returning Officer’s initial judgment on this matter.

Meanwhile, Lahore High Court Multan bench on Friday accepted appeal of former Punjab Governor, Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar to contest elections from NA- 182, Kot Addu .

According to details, the Judge, Justice Ali Zia Bajwa accepted the appeal of Mustafa Khar for contesting next elections. Another appeal filed by wife of Ghulam Mustafa Khar was also approved by the Tribunal judge to go into the elections.

Moreover, the appeal of an independent candidate, Imran Shaukat was accepted to fight from national and provincial constituencies. He was allowed to contest elections from NA- 152 and PP- 221. Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar accepted his appeal.

Chaudhari Akhtar Maqbool, another candidate hailing from Karor Lal Esan, district Layyah, whose nomination papers were rejected earlier was also given go-ahead as his appeal was approved.

Judge of the Election Tribunal, Sardar Mohammad Sarfaraz Dogar conducted hearing on twenty three (23) appeals. Another Judge, Justice Ali Zia Bajwa heard appeals of forty seven (47) cases.

There were as many as 219 appeals filed against decisions of Returning Officers (ROs) in the Appellant Tribunals and that the appeals were filed from different districts including Pakpattan, Sahiwal Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Chichawatni.