LAHORE: The acceptance of former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif’s nomination papers from NA-132, Lahore, has been challenged before the appellate tribunal.

Shahid Orakzai, the appellant, assailed the candidature of Mr Shehbaz on the basis of his alleged involvement in the 1997 attack on the Supreme Court.

The appellant submitted that the Islamabad police, in its inquiry filed to the apex court, had identified Shehbaz, who was then chief minister, and then prime minister Nawaz Sharif as two top powerful persons seriously involved in the attack.

He said the tribunal is empowered to verify the facts from the inquiry report in possession of the Supreme Court’s registrar.

He asked the court tribunal to set aside the decision of the returning officer and reject the nomination papers of Shehbaz from NA-132 besides cancelling the votes of his proposer and seconder.

NOTICES: An appellate tribunal comprising Justice Raheel Kamran Sheikh of the Lahore High Court issued notices to the ROs and others on 11 appeals against rejection of nomination papers.

The appeals were filed by Zaigham Abbas of PML-Q from PP-31, Gujrat, Saeed Ahmad Malhi from PP-44, Sialkot, Ali Asjad Malhi from NA-73, Ahsan Abbas from NA-72, Ghulam Abbas from PP-48 and PP-49 of Pasrur.

The tribunal also issued notices on an appeal against acceptance of nomination papers of Afzal Mansha of PML-N from PP-51, Daska.

The tribunal directed the ECP to ensure submission of the replies on behalf of the ROs by Jan 5.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2024