RAWALPINDI: In response to objections raised against some candidates - including Imran Khan – returning officers are postponing decisions, but on Friday, two aspirants' nominations were rejected.

They have been scrutinising candidates' nomination papers for the upcoming general election for the past five days.

The nominations filed by Syed Ijaz Hussain, of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and Maulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi, of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, were rejected because the candidates had not given the names of proposers and seconders.

Imran Khan, chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and an aspirant for the NA-56 seat, has found himself thrust unexpectedly into the limelight.

A local resident, Mohammad Hafeez Abbasi, brought a written objection to the constituency's returning officer, stating that in his memoir, “Me and My Pakistan,” Imran Khan “had confessed to consuming liquor… and this is a clear violation of Articles 63 and 64 of the Constitution.”

Abbasi argues that Khan is therefore ineligible to participate in the elections.

The RO has asked Khan to ‘clarify his position’ regarding Abbasi's allegations, but on Friday, Khan himself could not appear.

His lawyers and PTI workers visited the RO, who postponed any decision until Saturday, when Imran Khan is expected to see him.

Fayazul Hasan Chohan, of the PTI, filed his own objection to the nomination of the PML-N's Hanif Abbasi, stating that Abbasi had not provided the details of his income, assets and expenditures.

Scrutiny of Abbasi's nomination has been postponed by the presiding officer until Saturday. A similar charge was raised against another PML-N candidate, Sardar Naseem, who has promised to submit the information by Saturday.—A Reporter