CHAKWAL: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed appeals filed by influential Chakwal politician Sardar Ghulam Abbas and his nephew Sardar Aftab Akbar Khan, preventing both from contesting the elections for NA-64 (Chakwal-I).

Mr Abbas, Chakwal’s most popular politician, will no longer be able to participate in the upcoming elections. His covering candidate, Mr Akbar, will still be able to contest from the PP-23 (Chakwal-III) constituency, where no one has filed objections to his nomination papers.

Their appeals were dismissed by a divisional bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ejazul Ahsan.

The chief justice came down hard on the petitioners on Monday. Addressing Kamran Murtaza, Mr Abbas’ counsel, he said Mr Abbas did not have an income tax record or a national tax number (NTN).

Mr Murtaza responded that his client did not have income tax records because he did not have an income, and the lack of an NTN did not amount for disqualification.

The chief justice then asked how Mr Abbas could contest the elections if he did not have an income.

Mr Abbas’ request to speak was also denied by the chief justice, and both appeals were dismissed within minutes.

Mr Akbar’s appeal was dismissed on the same grounds, as he too did not have an NTN. However, the chief justice said the reason for the dismissal of the appeals would be recorded later.

Speaking to Dawn, Mr Abbas said he would not file a review petition.

“When the Constitution and law are not discussed, why should I file a review petition,” he asked. Mr Akbar will, however, be filing a review petition.

“It is very difficult for me to decide the next course of action,” Mr Abbas said, adding that he would announce his next decision after consulting friends on July 11.

Mr Murtaza said he was not satisfied with Monday’s order.

“To pay tax or not to pay tax, and to have a vehicle or not, does not amount for disqualification as there is no such law,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2018