November 19, 2002	Tuesday	Ramazan 13, 1423

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PESHAWAR, Nov 18: An election tribunal at the Peshawar High Court on Monday put on notice the election commission and an MNA from NA-46 (Khyber Agency), Maulana Khalilur Rehman, in a petition filed by a losing candidate.

The petitioner, Saeed Afridi, who lost to Mr Rehman during the Oct 10 general elections, had contended that his opponent was not qualified to contest the polls.

The tribunal, presided over by Justice Khalida Rachied, had taken up the petition for preliminary hearing.

The petitioner had contended that the winning candidate possessed a degree from a religious institution, which was not acceptable under the Conduct of General Elections Order, 2002.

He stated that under the law a graduate possessing degree recognized by the University Grants Commission was only entitled to contest elections. Similarly, the degree given to a student of a religious institution by the Wafaqul Madaris was acceptable.

The petitioner claimed that the degree obtained by Mr Rehman was given by Ittehadul Madaris and not by Wafaqul Madaris. Moreover, he added that the respondent had contested polls on the symbol of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, whereas the Political Parties Order, 2002, was not extended to the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas.

He prayed the court to declare his election as an MNA from NA-46, null and void and to declare the petitioner as returned candidate from the constituency.

Meanwhile, another tribunal presided over by Justice Tariq Pervaiz issued notice to an MPA, Maulana Jehangir Khan, elected from PF-90 (Chitral).

The election petition against Mr Khan of the MMA was filed by Shehzada Gillani, stating that the election of his opponent should be declared illegal as he was not qualified to contest polls.