LAHORE: Both the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday also filed appeals before an election tribunal, challenging acceptance of PML-N candidate Kulsoom Nawaz’s nomination papers by the returning officer for NA-120 by-election.

Two separate appeals had been filed by the PTI’s principal and covering candidates, Dr Yasmin Rashid and Andleeb Abbas, respectively, while Faisal Mir of the PPP filed another appeal on identical grounds.

The appellants (candidates) contended that the returning officer (RO) accepted the nomination papers of Ms Nawaz without addressing many important queries regarding concealment of assets, default on wealth and agricultural income tax and agreement/salary related to her UAE Iqama (work permit).

They said the income tax return for 2014 submitted by the respondent did not show any salary as deputy chairman of the FZE Company, detected by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted by the Supreme Court in Panama Papers case.

The appellants also questioned the acceptance of Ms Nawaz’s papers in her absence as she did not appear before the RO during the scrutiny process.

They alleged the respondent did not disclose in nomination papers the offshore assets and companies owned by her husband, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The opposition parties’ candidates also argued that the PML-N could not participate in any election as it was registered in the name of Mr Sharif who had been disqualified by the Supreme Court.

They pleaded that Ms Nawaz was neither qualified to contest an election under provisions of Article 62 of the Constitution, nor her nomination papers fulfilled the requirements of Representation of Peoples Act 1976.

The appellants asked the tribunal to set aside the RO’s decision and reject nomination papers of Ms Nawaz as she was not legally entitled to contest an election.

Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) candidate Ishtiaq Ahmad Chaudhry had already challenged the candidature of Ms Nawaz on the same grounds.

A two-member election tribunal comprising Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh and Justice Shahid Waheed of the Lahore High Court would resume hearing on the appeals on Aug 21.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2017