QUETTA: Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, a member of the Balochistan Election Tribunal, has rejected five appeals challenging the acceptance of Jam Kamal Khan Alyani’s nomination papers, allowing him to participate in the election on February 8.

The tribunal continued its session on Saturday, addressing appeals from candidates regarding the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers. During the hearing, Justice Kakar ruled on the appeals against the PML-N candidate, Mr Alyani, noting that his nomination papers were contested due to an expired UAE aqama in 2018.

The former CM submitted his nomination papers for NA-267 (Lasbela-Awaran) and PB-22 (Lasbela). The tribunal’s decision, made after the hearing, is expected to be formally announced in the coming days.

The Balo­chistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) challenged Mr Alyani’s nomination papers on the ground that he hold the UAE’s aqama.

The tribunal has deferred the hearing on the acceptance of PPP candidate Nawab Sanaullah Zehri’s nomination papers for NA-261 (Khuzdar) and PB18. These papers were contested by opponents, with the hearing now scheduled for January 8.

Furthermore, the appeals of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the BNP-Mengal president, against the rejection of his nomination papers for NA-261, NA256 and PB-20 have been postponed until Monday.

Both Mr Mengal and Mr Zehri are confronted with the issue of an expired UAE aqama.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2024