March 04, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 25, 1429

MUZAFFARGARH, March 3: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday issued notices for March 11 on a plea filed by a losing PML-Q candidate challenging the election of a PPP candidate from NA-178 on a seminary degree.

PML-Q’s Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmad Khan had moved the apex court challenging the veracity of educational testimonials of PPP’s MNA-elect Jamshed Dasti.

Talking to Dawn on telephone, Nawabzada Iftikhar said that he had moved the returning officer (RO) at first instance, but the RO had not paid heed to his objections to Dasti’s academic qualifications.

He said that subsequently he filed a writ petition before the Lahore High Court’s Multan Bench, which was also rejected summarily on technical grounds.

Nawabzada Iftikhar, the younger son of late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, joined the PML-Q last year and was later elevated as party’s senior vice-president. Besides Dasti, he fought election against his elder brother and Pakistan Democratic Party chairman, Nawabzad Mansoor Ahmad Khan, who was backed by PML-N.

Nawabzada Mansoor said though he had accepted Dasti’s victory from NA-178, he would also challenge his election before the Election Commission of Pakistan because he contested the polls on the basis of fake educational certificates.

Dasti told Dawn that both the brothers were trying to waste his as well as their own time, however, he said, he would face any litigation instituted by them.