JHANG, April 18: Nomination papers filed by the candidates last August for the offices of Jhang district Naib Nazim and tehsil Naib Nazims of Jhang and Shorkot will remain valid for the upcoming May 22 bypolls.

This was informed by the Chief Election Commission through a letter sent to the Jhang AEC and the returning officer. Earlier, a new election schedule was announced by the election commission on these three seats.

According to the schedule, nomination papers were to be filed from April 16 to 20, scrutiny on April 22 and the final list of the candidates was to be notified on May 1 after the disposal of appeals and withdrawal of candidates.

The EC has ordered that the nomination papers filed by candidates according to the previous election schedule, before its postponement and found to be in order after scrutiny, will be eligible to contest the elections.

Elections to the three offices of the district and tehsil governments, fell vacant due to the resignation of their holders to contest the general elections, were earlier scheduled to be held in September last year. However, the elections had been postponed indefinitely due to security reasons.

Those whose nomination papers were found to be in order after the scrutiny for the office of Jhang district Naib Nazim are: Syed Asad Hayat, Sheikh Muhammad Yaqoob, Khawar Sipra, Sheikh Hakim Ali and Iftikhar Ahmad. For Jhang tehsil Naib Nazim are: Tahir Abbas, Arshad Gujjar, Mushtaq Ahmad, Muneer Ahmad Sultan, Sikandar Bharwana and Sakhi Muhammad.

SANCTIONED: The Punjab government has sanctioned Rs150 million for the development of livestock and dairy sectors in the Jhang district. This was stated by provincial Livestock and Dairy Development Minister Haroon Ahmad Sultan Bukhari while addressing the breeders of livestock on the second day of annual spring festival at the local stadium.