Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Appellate Tribunal of the Islamabad High Court on Friday issued notices to the returning officer (RO) and secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the appeal of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi against rejection of his nomination papers from NA-53 constituency of the federal capital.

The tribunal also issued notices to the RO and ECP secretary on the appeal of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Mehtab Khan against rejection of his nomination papers from NA-53 constituency of the federal capital.

After hearing preliminary arguments by the counsels of both the appellants, the tribunal comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani directed the RO and ECP secretary to appear before it on Monday along with relevant record of both the appeals.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had on Friday challenged the rejection of his nomination papers by the RO from NA-53 constituency of the federal capital. Abbasi’s nomination papers were rejected by the RO on June 19 on the grounds that he did not mention the development work he undertook in his previous constituency.

The nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan as well as some other electoral candidates have also been rejected by the RO on the similar grounds.

In his appeal, Abbasi contended that he did not omit the required information on purpose and is ready to rectify the mistake. He is contesting on the PML-N ticket from NA-53 as well as his home constituency of NA-57 Murree. His nomination from Murree has also been challenged in the Rawalpindi appellate tribunal.

Another PML-N leader and former KP governor Sardar Mehtab Khan, who hails from Hazara Division, has also challenged the rejection of his nomination papers by the RO from NA-53 constituency. He claimed to have carried out widespread public welfare projects in his constituency.

Former PTI MNA Ayesha Gulalai has also challenged rejection of her nomination papers from NA-53 constituency.

As per the ECP schedule, June 22 was the last day to file appeals against decisions of the ROs. The election tribunals have until June 27 to decide on the appeals after which the revised list of the candidates will be released on June 28. The last date for withdrawal of candidature will be June 29 whereas the date for allocation of electoral symbols and publication of the final list of contesting candidates will be June 30. Polling for general election 2018 will be held on July 25.

Published in Daily Times, June 23^rd 2018.