HARIPUR, Aug 27: The nomination papers of Maj-Gen (retd) Zaheerul Islam Abbasi for NA-19, Haripur, were rejected by the returning officer, Additional District and Sessions Judge Khalid Badshah, on Tuesday.

Abbasi’s candidature was challenged by Omar Ayub Khan, son of former federal minister, Goher Ayub Khan, another contender for the same seat.

According to the poll schedule, Tuesday was fixed for filing of objections and decisions on them.

In his objection, Omar requested for the disqualification of Maj-Gen (retd) Zaheerul Islam Abbasi on the ground that he had been dismissed from army service and convicted for misconduct.

The returning officer, while stating the reasons for the rejection of Abbasi’s nominations, said in his three-page order that as he was convicted under Section 99 of Pak Army Act read with 121-A PPC for seven years, he was ineligible to contest the polls under Sections 99(1-A) (H)(I)(J) of People’s Representation Act 1976.

Abbasi was arrested on charges of hatching an abortive coup against the government of Benazir Bhutto and eliminating some top military brass in the name of Operation Khilafat in Sept 1995.