VEHARI: The rejection of nomination papers of the PML-N candidate by an election tribunal of Multan for NA-162 (Vehari-Burewala) led to an armed clash.

Ex-MNA Ch Nazir Ahmad Arain’s papers were challenged by Ghulam Mustafa Bhatti, a voter of his constituency. He claimed that the Nazir Arain had not declared his complete assets, including occupied state land, in the nomination papers.

Earlier, his nomination papers were rejected by the NA-162 returning officer. Arain moved the election tribunal which upheld the verdict.

According to his rival ex-MNA Nazir Jutt, Arain had occupied state land in Gagoo and Burewala. He said the election tribunal had rejected the nomination papers after visiting the occupied land in Burewala and Gagoo on Monday.

Ch Nazir Arain said he would approach the appellate division bench in Lahore.

His elder brother Ch Faqeer Ahmed, a former banker, would now contest for NA-162 against Ayesha Nazir Jutt (independent) and PTI’s Khalid Mehmood Chohan.

After the rejection of nomination papers, workers of Jutt and Arain clashed.

Nazir Jutt’s gunman Ramzan Dogar resorted to aerial firing which left a passerby injured.

Burewala police were are looking into the matter.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2018