MULTAN: The objections raised against the PML-N ticket-holders for NA-154 Shahzad Maqbool Bhutta and NA-157 Adbul Ghaffar Dogar over the information given in their nomination papers will be decided on June 19.

The objection against Mr Bhutta is reportedly based a contradiction in the qualification mentioned by him in 2008 and in his recently submitted nomination papers.

In 2008, he had mentioned that he was graduate; however, in his recent nomination papers he had given his qualification as FA.

Azeem Khan Badozai, the media coordinator for Mr Bhutta, said the PML-N leader had a degree of Shahadatul Alia, which was equivalent to BA.

“However, he did not mention his degree of Shahadatul Alia for 2013 general elections as the condition of graduation had been abolished while an objection in this regard was dismissed even then. Mr Bhutta didn’t mention the degree of Shahadatul Alia in the recently submitted nomination papers also,” Mr Badozai added.

The objection against former PML-N MNA Abdul Ghaffar Dogar was also raised according to which he mentioned in his nomination papers that he had performed Umrah with Rs15,000.

Mr Dogar said he did not claim that the entire cost was Rs15,000 but that he had purchased his air-ticket through miscellaneous voucher as he was entitled to do so as parliamentarian. He said though he used the voucher after the assembly was dissolved as he went to Umrah on June 6, there was nothing wrong do that as he had not used his voucher before the tenure of the assembly was over. He added that he was a guest during Umrah; however, he mentioned the small amount which he had spent by himself.

The returning officer fixed hearing of the both the cases for June 19.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2018