Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday challenged rejection of his NA-53 constituency nomination papers.

Abbasi’s counsel Tahir Mahmood Abbasi filed an appeal in the election tribunal today seeking dismissal of RO’s rejection decision.

Abbasi’s counsel maintained the view that the former premier’s omission was unintentional rather than on purpose, which he was willing to rectify.

Earlier on Tuesday, Abbasi’s candidacy had been rejected by the Returning Officer (RO)  on grounds that he had failed to list down the development work he undertook in his constituency.

The RO had also dismissed nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan along with Ayesha Gulalai.

Abbasi is contesting in elections from Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) ticket from NA-53 as well as NA-57. The former premier’s nomination from Murree NA-57 has also been challenged in the Rawalpindi appellate tribunal.

On the hand, PML-N leader Sardar Mehtab Abbasi on Friday also challenged rejection of his nomination papers from NA-53 constituency claiming that he had carried massive welfare projects in his constituency.

The tribunal will also be hearing PTI chief Imran Khan’s appeal against rejection of his candidacy.

According to Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) schedule, today is the last day to file appeal against rejection decisions by returniing officers.

The tribunals will be announcing the final lists of candidates on June 28.

The general elections are to be held on July 25.