BAHAWALPUR, Nov 13: Hundreds of candidates with their supporters thronged returning officers (ROs) offices on Wednesday to file their nomination papers for local council polls.

Though the TV channels broke the news by afternoon that polls had been rescheduled, candidates continued filing their papers.

According to ROs, more than 10,000 nomination papers were filed on Wednesday.

A few ROs said they were satisfied that the filed nomination papers would be valid for the Jan 31 polls. The Election Commission of Pakistan announced on Wednesday the validity of the nomination papers filed during these three days.

The candidates were disappointed at the postponement of polling saying that they would have to continue their campaign for two and a half months which would increase their expenditures.

COURT: Anti-Terrorist Court Judge Nisar Ahmed handed down life imprisonment on two counts to Najawat Husain, Shair Muhammad, Pathan and Bhoora Chachar in an abduction for ransom case, registered by Kot Sabzal police, Rahim Yar Khan.

According to prosecution, the four convicts and Shabir Ahmed, who was acquitted on the basis of benefit of doubt, abducted Shehzad Ali, of 211/P, on Jan 7. Later, Shahzad’s parents ransomed him against Rs500,000

TRIBUNAL: The election tribunal headed by retired judge Sheikh Hafizur Rehman heard the arguments of both parties in a petition by Makhdum Irtaza against MPA Makhdum Hashim Jawan Bakht of PP-291 (Rahim Yar Khan) and adjourned the hearing till Nov 18.

Another petition by Syed Qaim Ali Shamsi (PP-261-Muzzafargarh) against MPA Aamir Talal Gopang was adjourned till Nov 25.

The tribunal fixed Nov 26 for hearing the petition of Syed Abdullah Shah Bokhari against MNA Sardar Ashiq Hussain Gopang of NA-180 (Muzaffargarh).

In a petition by Sardar Usman Ahmed Khan of PP-241 (Dera Ghazi Khan) against MPA Khawaja Muhammad Nizamul Mehmood, the judge adjourned the hearing till Nov 25. — Correspondent