ISLAMABAD: An appellate tribunal on Friday took up the appeals filed by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan, PML-N leader Sardar Mehtab Khan and chief of her own faction of the PTI Ayesha Gulalai against rejection of their nomination papers.

Returning Officer (RO) Mohammad Adnan Khan had rejected the papers filed by them to contest the election from NA-53 Islamabad on technical grounds. They did not mention in clause-N of the affidavit their contribution to their constituencies as public representatives.

Presiding judge of the tribunal Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, after hearing preliminary arguments, adjourned the proceedings till June 25 and 26. He directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to appoint its counsel to assist the tribunal in adjudication of the matter.

Moreover, a candidate from NA-53, Abdul Wahab Baloch of Justice and Democratic Party Pakistan (JDP) led by former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, raised objections to the nomination papers of Imran Khan for concealing his ‘daughter’ Tyrian Jade Khan-White.

His counsel Sheikh Ahsanuddin contended before the tribunal that the RO had dismissed the objection by saying that only the voter of a particular constituency could raise an objection. Under the Elections Act 2017, he argued, an opposing candidate could also file objections to the candidacy of a contestant.

According to the counsel, Imran Khan is not Sadiq and Ameen under Section 62 (1)(F) of the Constitution.

Babar Awan, the counsel for the PTI chief, said such objections had been raised for the media trial of Mr Khan. He pointed out that the Elections Act was very clear and it empowered only the registered voter of a particular constituency to raise objection to the candidacy of a contestant.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2018