MULTAN: Former PML-N candidate Sheikh Tariq Rasheed has mentioned his educational qualification ‘under matriculation’ for the forthcoming election while his nomination papers in 2008 show him ‘graduate’.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Rasheed said although he had submitted his nomination papers in 2008 but he did not contest the election as he did not possess the graduation degree which was compulsory.

He said the seat had fallen vacant in 2012 after Javed Hashmi resigned to join the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and he made it to the National Assembly in the by-election.

“At that time the condition of graduation degree had been abolished and I contested the election,” Rasheed said.

He said he mentioned his qualification ‘under matriculation’ in 2012 [by-poll] and 2013 elections.

“There is no contradiction in my claim regarding my qualification rather it is being created allegedly by Governor Malik Rafique Rajwana who is behind the propaganda against me to get party ticket for his son,” he said.

Rasheed said after 2008 he contested two elections in 2012 and 2013 but his nomination papers were accepted by the Election Commission of Pakistan and no objection was raised.

Shaikh Tariq Rasheed has submitted his nomination papers for NA-155.

Veteran politician Javed Hashmi and Malik Asif Rafique Rajwana, son of Rafique Rajwana, are other candidates who want to get the party ticket.

Rizwan Hans, Usman Bhatti, Dr Javed Siddiqi, Nafees Ansari and Mr Shakeel of PPP have also submitted their nomination papers for the constituency; however the party is yet to decide its candidate while PTI has announced Malik Amir Dogar as its contender.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2018