LAHORE: An election tribunal comprising a judge of the Lahore High Court will hear on Saturday (today) an appeal of PML-N senior leader Pervaiz Rashid challenging the rejection of his nomination papers by the returning officer (RO) for Senate election.

On objections filed by PTI MPA Zainab Umar and a lawyer, the RO rejected the nomination papers of Mr Rashid. They contended that Mr Rashid, also a former senator, was a defaulter of the Punjab House and the unpaid amount was over Rs9 million.

The appeal filed by Rashid states he has never been informed by the officials of the Punjab House in writing that he owed any amount to it in terms of rent charges. He says the RO gave him one-day time for the payment of the amount.

The appellant states he obtained a loan from a friend and tried to deposit the amount but the officials did not receive the same. He submits that an application was also filed with the RO to direct the chief secretary to receive the default amount but no order was issued on it. Later, the RO dismissed his nomination papers, he adds.

The appellant argues the RO acted beyond his jurisdiction and unlawfully rejected his nomination papers. He asks the election tribunal to set aside the impugned decision of the RO and allow him to contest the Senate election. The tribunal comprising Justice Shahid Waheed will hear appeals against acceptance or rejection of the nomination papers of the candidates contesting for Senate seats.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2021