The Lahore High Court on Wednesday allowed PTI chief Imran Khan to contest by-elections in the NA-108 (Faisalabad) and NA-118 (Nankana Sahib) constituencies while rejecting objections of the Election Commission of Pakistan and a PML-N candidate’s plea challenging the acceptance of ex-PM’s nomination papers, respectively.
The orders on two separate pleas were issued by Justice Shahid Waheed of LHC’s appellate election tribunal.
The ECP had on Aug 17 rejected Imran’s nomination for the NA-108 by-poll due to “insufficient details regarding his assets”. “Imran Khan’s nomination papers were not rejected due to signature verification issue.
Imran’s nomination papers were rejected due to insufficient details of assets,” the ECP had said in a statement as it quoted the returning officer’s rationale for the decision.
Separately, a candidate of the PML-N from NA-118, Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal, had challenged the acceptance of Imran’s nomination papers for the by-poll. In the hearing in the tribunal on Wednesday, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar represented Imran while lawyers Mansoor Usman Awan and Khalid Ishaq appeared on behalf of Dr Kharal.
