PML-Q MNA's degree challenged: Election tribunal seeks record from EC, Punjab university

An election tribunal headed by a judge of the Lahore High Court on Monday sought record from Election Commission of Pakistan and Punjab University in a petition challenging BA degree of PML-Q MNA Muhammad Akhter Khadim alias Mian Khadim Hussain Wattoo by August 25.
The petition was filed by Nawaz Cheema, a voter NA-188, Bahawalnagar, from where the respondent won election. Meanwhile, the MNA through his counsel filed his reply to an already pending petition against him by Nawaz Cheema. His counsel challenged territorial jurisdiction of High Court pleading that the petition could not be heard at principal seat as the case belong to Bahawalnagar. He prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition being non-maintainable.
The tribunal, however, adjourned hearing till August 30 as petitioner's counsel sought time to file his rejoinder. The petitioners had taken plea that the respondent MNA submitted fake degree to election commission at the time of filing nomination papers. They said the MNA was not competent to hold this seat under article 62 and 63 of the constitution. They sought disqualification of the MNA on the basis of possessing bogus degree.