LAHORE, Nov 24: The process of receiving and submitting nomination papers for the general elections has picked up pace as the aspirants for the national and provincial assemblies file their documents with the returning officers.

As many as 226 candidates, including 36 women, obtained nomination papers from the sessions courts in an atmosphere of a carnival. Those who filed nomination papers included Jamaat-i-Islami ex-MPA Ehsanullah Waqas of MMA for NA-127, Chaudhry Muhammad Ali (NA-122), Muhammad Shahzad Malik (NA-118), Sajjad Ahmad (NA-124) and Aftab Ahmad Virk (NA-127).

Those who filed the papers for the Punjab Assembly seats included Rehana Shakil for PP-145, Ehsanullah Waqas (PP-153), Muhammad Pathan Khan, Khurram Taseer and Abdul Majid (PP-152).

Those who received papers included ex-MNAs Tehmina Daultana, Khwaja Saad Rafiq and Pakistan Cricket Board former chairman Gen Tauqir Zia (retired), ex-MPA Asad Ashraf, Shahid Munir Malik, Tariq Badruddin Banday, Javed Iqbal Raja and Hamid Nasir Chattha.

Pervaiz: Former chief minister Pervaiz Elahi will also contest elections from a provincial assembly constituency in Bahawalnagar.

The PML, Punjab, parliamentary board has decided that the Chaudhry will also be a party nominee for PP-282, says a press release issued on Saturday.