QUETTA, Aug 29: Scrutiny of the nomination papers filed for reserved seats for women and minorities in Balochistan for National and provincial assembly continued in the province on Thursday.

The nomination papers of Khuda-i-Noor, secretary-general of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) and Mohammad Akbar Lasi, provincial secretary-general of PPP and three other candidates, who had filed nomination papers for NA-259 Quetta and NA-270 Awaran-cum- Lasbela, were rejected by returning officer.

Mr Khuda-i-Noor did not meet the condition of graduation. The three others whose nomination papers were rejected included Abdul Ghafoor (independent), Maulvi Rehmatullah (MMA) and Mohammad Jawad (independent).

The returning officer for NA-270 received a letter from National Accountability Bureau saying that Mr Akbar Lasi was convicted in a corruption case. The PPP leader had also filed nomination papers for PB-44 and 45. However, Akbar Lasi denied the claim of NAB regarding his conviction and said he was not convicted in any case. He said through a conspiracy government wanted to oust him from the contest. “I will approach the court of law for seeking justice,” Mr Lasi told reporters.

The nomination papers of other 23 candidates were cleared. They include Mir Taj Mohammad Jamali (GA), Saifullah Paracha (PPP), Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar (PML-N), Mehmood Khan Achakzai (PMAP), Sohail Ahmed Rajput (JWP), Hafiz Hussian Ahmed Shuradi (MMA), Syed Fazal Agha (PML-Q) and former Attorney General Yahya Bakhtiar.

The returning officer for NA-260 Quetta-Chagai-cum-Mastung also completed scrutiny of 11 nomination papers out of 20 filed by independent and party candidates.

Those contesting election on this seat include: Sardar Fateh Mohammad Hasni (PPP), Hafiz Hussain Ahmed (MMA), Fazal Hussain Shah (PML-N), Mir Abdul Hakim Lahri (BNC), Habib Jalib Baloch (BNP-M), Mohim Khan Baloch (BNP-Awami) and Sardar Mohammad Najeeb Sanjrani (Q).

Nomination papers of Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali (PML-Q), Nawab Mohammad Ayuz Khan Jogezai (PMAP), Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani (PPP), Dr Hayee Baloch (BNM), Dr Mohammad Yasin (BNM), Jaffar Khan Mandokhel (PML-N), Mohammad Khan Sherani (MMA), Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind (GA), Mir Sadiq Ali Umrani (PPP), Mohammad Ayub Jatak (BNM), Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo (BNDP), Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri (MMA), Sardar Sanaullah Zahri and Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani were also cleared. However, the official announcement regarding acceptance and rejection would be announced on Sept 2.

Meanwhile scrutiny of the nomination papers filed on reserved seats for women and minorities for National and provincial assembly was completed on Thursday by provincial election commissioner Balochistan, Abdullah Khan.