MUZAFFARABAD: A petition seeking the disqualification of the candidature of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly speaker Sardar Ghulam Sadiq was filed in the AJK High Court by his electoral rival Sardar Khan Bahadar Khan on Wednesday.

Rahat Farooq Raja and Sardar Zia, the counsel for the petitioner, contended that Mr Sadiq did not fulfill the definition of being sagacious, righteous, honest, ameen and not profligate, as specified in rule 5 (2) (F) of the AJK (Elections) Ordinance 1970, and should therefore be disqualified to contest the upcoming elections.

They had annexed evidence of “embezzlement, misuse of authority and favouritism” by Mr Sadiq along with the petition to establish their claim.

The counsel pointed out that Mr Sadiq obtained dual salary and allowances as adviser to the AJK Council chairman and AJK assembly member for over 31 months but deposited the unlawfully claimed Rs2.09 million in the national exchequer only after the “embezzlement and criminal breach of trust on his part” was exposed by the media.

Similarly, they prayed, Mr Sadiq had also been misusing his position in severe violation of the countless judgments on the issue, to get his favourites appointed against various posts, particularly in the education department.

In one such case in February 2013, they said, Mr Sadiq sent a list of 12 persons to the District Education Officer (DEO) Sudhnoti on his official letterhead and in his own handwriting for their appointment as primary teachers.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2016