LAHORE: The Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) candidate for the by-election in NA-120 challenged the acceptance of nomination papers submitted by Kulsoom Nawaz, the candidate fielded by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), before an election tribunal on Friday.

The tribunal comprising Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh and Jus­tice Shahid Waheed of the Lahore High Court will start hearing appeals against the rejection or acceptance of nomination papers of candidates for the National Assem­bly constituency from Aug 21.

In his appeal, Advocate Ishtiaq Ahmad Chaudhry, PAT’s candidate, said that Ms Nawaz had concealed her assets and income in the nomination papers submitted to the returning officer for NA-120. He added that the respondent candidate had declared herself a dependant of her husband Nawaz Sharif even though she was a shareholder of several companies.

Mr Chaudhry stated that Ms Nawaz had also failed to disclose the agreement and salary for the UAE Iqama (work permit) attached to her nomination papers. He said that following the verdict in the Panama Papers case, it was necessary for Ms Nawaz to disclose her salary as an asset. He alleged that the PML-N’s candidate was a defaulter of agriculture income tax and had concealed details of her Murree residence.

He argued that Ms Nawaz could not contest the election on a ticket of the PML-N as the party’s registration was cancelled after the disqualification of its former chief, Nawaz Sharif. He asked the tribunal to set aside the returning officer’s decision and reject Ms Nawaz’s nomination.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2017