September 10, 2002	Tuesday	Rajab 2, 1423

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PESHAWAR, Sept 9: Dismissing different petitions, an election tribunal on Monday declared leaders of various political parties, including Syed Iftikhar Gillani, Masood Sharif Khattak, Pir Sabir Shah and Yousaf Ayub, qualified to contest the elections.

The tribunal, comprising Justice Abdur Rauf Lughmani and Justice Ijaz Afzal, accepted an appeal of a rival candidate and disqualified Zaheerul Islam Abbasi, a former major-general, from contesting polls for NA-17 (Abbottabad).

The tribunal heard 48 cases and disposed of many.

The tribunal dismissed appeals of former MNA, Haji Naseemur Rehman, and former provincial minister Naqeebullah Khan, declaring them disqualified from contesting the polls.

The tribunal dismissed a Bank of Khyber appeal against PML(Q) leader Syed Iftikhar Gillani, which had accused his family of being a loan defaulter.

Mr Gillani appeared before the tribunal and contended that he had never taken any loan from the said bank.

The appeal by Ameen Khattak, a candidate from NA-15 (Karak), against the former chief of the Intelligence Bureau and a main leader of PPP, Masood Sharif Khattak, was dismissed by the tribunal.

Qazi Mohammad Anwer appeared for the petitioner and argued that the respondent was dismissed from service, which was a ground for disqualification given in the Conduct of General Elections Order, 2002. However, he added, his nomination papers were accepted by the returning officer.

The tribunal observed that the appellant should produce proof that the dismissal of Mr Khattak from service was on grounds of misconduct or moral turpitude.

The tribunal dismissed appeals filed against the acceptance of the nomination papers of former chief minister Pir Sabir Shah and former provincial minister Yousaf Ayub Khan from NA-19 (Haripur) and PF-30 (Haripur), respectively.

The appeal of former provincial minister Naqeebullah Khan was also dismissed. His nomination papers were rejected on the grounds of producing a fake degree. Another appeal filed against the acceptance of the candidature of a former MPA, Fareed Mufakir from PF-43 (Hangu), was adjourned to Tuesday.