An Appellate Tribunal of NA-53 on Monday accepted nomination papers of Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Afzal Khokhar while deferred hearing on the appeals of former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former governor KP Sardar Mehtab Abbasi and Ayesha Gulalai. The Appellate Tribunal comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of Islamabad High Court (IHC) adjourned the hearing till Tuesday (today) in their appeals and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to assist the court in this regard.
During the hearing, Justice Mohsin remarked that nomination papers of a large number of candidates were rejected due to questions related to bank account and Clause N. He said the candidates could not understand the question. Then he asked from the ECP whether the affidavit was available in Urdu language. The ECP official replied that it was only in English language.
Justice Kayani remarked that the question was related to the contribution of candidate for their constituency but answers of the candidates included: 'I did not strike second marriage'. The former prime minister said: "I pay tax and maintained my dignity."
At this, the bench asked from the ECP official about the questions. He answered that the court should summon the candidates to ask what they have understood about the questions. Justice Kayani said that but the ECP should also know it.
The counsel for PPP candidate Afzal Khokhar informed the court that his client had deposited Rs 2.5 million outstanding loan while the bank officials have confirmed it. Then, the bench allowed him to contest the elections from NA-53.
Similarly, the tribunal permitted another candidate Anwarul Haq to contest the elections after he proved opening of his bank account. However, the appellate tribunal deferred the hearing of the appeals of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi and Ayesha Gulalai after directing the ECP to assist the court in this connection.
All the three nomination papers of these candidates were rejected on similar ground that the candidates could not mention their contribution to their constituencies in Clause N when they remained public representatives.
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