BAHAWALPUR: The election tribunal, headed by retired district and sessions judge Chaudhry Abdul Hafeaz, disqualified on Wednesday PML-N MPA (PP-240) Shamoona Badshah Qaisrani on a petition by Khawaja Daud Sulemani. The tribunal declared the seat vacant and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold by-election for PP-240, Dera Ghazi Khan.

The results were challenged by independent candidate Mr Sulemani over irregularities and malpractices during polling. The petitioner lso filed an application under section 76-A that the respondent had concealed her property in her nomination papers.

According to the tribunal, the main election petition was dismissed but the petition filed under section 76-A regarding the concealment of her property, she was disqualified. Dawn learned land and other assets were in her name but she stated that her brothers owned the land and other property.

UNLEASHED: The Nowshehra Jadid police arrested brothers Munir and Khalid for allegedly unleashing dogs on a woman in villge Mandhal near Musfairkhana, 35 kilometres from Bahawalpur, on Wednesday. The third suspect, Muhammad Afzal, a relative of victim Azra Bibi, who is father of Munir and Khalid, is at large.

Suspects unleashed dogs on Azra when she went to their house to bring back her goat which had stepped into their private property. She suffered wounds and was now being treated at the Ahmedpur East Civil Hospital.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had taken notice of the incident. Regional Police Officer Rehan Gilani said he had ordered District Police Officer Sarfraz Ahmed Falki to conduct investigation of the case on merit.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2014