KARACHI: Scrutiny of nomination papers of retired Gen Pervez Musharraf for a National Assembly constituency in Karachi was deferred till Sunday because he did not appear before the returning officer on Saturday. Over 10 objections have been filed against the former military ruler’s candidature.

Syed Ikramur Rehman, the returning officer for NA-250, asked Gen Musharraf to appear before him on Saturday for the scrutiny of his nomination papers. A lawyer informed the returning officer that Gen Musharraf was out of the city.

Among those objecting to Gen Musharraf’s candidature are Naimatullah Khan of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), who is also contesting election from the same constituency, some other leaders of the JI, a leader of an NGO and some lawyers.

They accused the former army chief of abrogating the constitution twice, suspending judiciary, committing treason, violating the oath he took as a soldier, and being involved in the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Benazir Bhutto and dozens of innocent people in the Lal Masjid operation.

Hence, they contended that the former military ruler did not meet the requirements as defined in articles 62 and 63 of constitution to contest elections.

Gen Musharraf’s nomination papers for NA-139, Kasur, were rejected on Friday.

Meanwhile, returning officers in Karachi rejected nomination papers of over 20 people, including Sawar Khan of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Gulab Khan of PPP-Shaheed Bhutto, Mansoor Feroz of the JI and Ibrar Abbasi of the PML-N.