HYDERABAD: A decision on the acceptance or rejection of the nomination papers of Makhdoom Amin Fahim, president of the PPP-Parliamentarians, was reserved by the returning officer of NA-218 (Matiari) till Sunday, following lengthy proceedings on Saturday on objections to his candidature raised by Abdul Razaq Memon, a candidate of the PML-F.

However, the nomination papers of Mr Fahim’s sons Makhdoom Jamiluzzaman and Makhdoom Habibullah for NA-218 and PS-43 were accepted.

Mr Memon had engaged a legal team comprising Barrister Mustafa Mahar and Advocates Pervez Memon and Arshad Memon to challenge Mr Fahim’s papers.

Mr Memon, alias Ghafoor Memon, had formed the Memon Ittehad in Matiari and then joined the PML-F. He is reportedly supported by some former trusted friends of Mr Fahim like Raees Nazir Rahu and Ali Ahmed Nizamani, who are part of the Awami Ittehad Matiari, and are poised to contest the elections against the Makhdooms because of differences with them over local politics.

According to Mr Memon, Mr Fahim was facing charges under section 420 of the PPC in the NICL scam.

Mr Fahim appeared before the returning officer along with a lawyer and the proceedings continued till 7pm. The RO reserved his decision till Sunday morning.

Talking to reporters later, Mr Fahim said the NICL case was in court and an accused was considered innocent until proven guilty.