LAHORE: An appellate tribunal of the Lahore High Court on Thursday reserved verdict on the petitions by PTI leader Zulfi Bokhari and social media activist Sanam Javed challenging the rejection of their nomination papers for the senate poll.

During the hearing of Bokhari’s appeal, his counsel stated that the ECP had rejected the nomination papers of the petitioner on the ground of being a dual national.

However, he said, the petitioner was a Pakistani citizen only.

He said the petitioner furnished documentary evidence to the ECP about relinquishing dual nationality of the United Kingdom.

The ECP lawyer objected to the maintainability of the appeal and pointed out that the supporting documents should have been attached with the nomination papers.

In response, Bokhari’s counsel argued that the document of renunciation of UK citizenship was attached with the nomination papers.

He asked the tribunal to set aside the ECP decision for being against the facts and law.

Separately, a lawyer for incarcerated activist Ms Javed argued that the ECP rejected the nomination papers of his client contrary to the facts.

He said the allegation of not declaring a plot in the nomination papers was not based on truth. He said the appellant had been in jail for the last 10 months for alleged involvement in May 9 cases.

The lawyer also mentioned that the jail authorities did not stamp the nomination papers of the appellant. He said the case of former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema was similar, but the jail superintendent signed his papers.

Tribunal Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan expressed concern over the conduct of the jail authorities.

“What is happening here? Why is such treatment being meted out to a girl?” This is Islamic Republic of Pakistan?” the tribunal asked.

The ECP lawyer said the appellant did not provide details of her husband’s assets and accounts, which was necessary under the rules.

The tribunal observed that it seemed the appellant could not meet all requirements due to being in jail.

After hearing, the tribunal reserved verdict on both appeals.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2024