Nomination papers rejections: Nawaz and Shahbaz approach CEC

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother, Shahbaz Sharif, have approached Chief Elections Commissioner (CEC), former justice Qazi Muhammad Farooq, to know as to why their nomination papers, accepted for 2002 general elections, were turned down for the upcoming polls.
However, the CEC has reportedly asked them to approach the election tribunal. Sharif brothers in a letter to the CEC expressed wondered as what wrong they had done in exile since 2002 that amount to rejection of their nomination papers. Sharif family was sent into exile in 2001, allegedly thorough a deal with the General Pervez Musharraf brokered by Saudi Arabia.
They have returned to the country from exile recently and filed nomination papers for the January 8 polls, but the Returning Officer rejected their nomination papers.
However, nomination papers of Kulsoom Nawaz, spouse of Nawaz Sharif, and Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, son of Shahbaz Sharif, were accepted. Talking to Business Recorder PML-N Chairman Raja Zafrul Haq said that Shahbaz Shairf has taken up the matter with the CEC drawing his attention that their nomination papers were rejected unconstitutionally and unlawfully.
He said that the CEC has the powers to look into the matter to ensure transparency in the process. However, the CEC has asked them to file their reservations with the election tribunal constituted for the purpose. "We will not file appeal in election tribunal, which judges have sworn in under Provisional Constitutional Order-an allegiance to Musharraf," PML-N Chairman quoting Shahbaz Sharif as saying.
To a question regarding participation in the polls, he said that the issue would be taken up in the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) meeting at Lahore on Sunday.
Restoration of pre-emergency judiciary is still a contentious issue between APDM and ARD in finalisation of Charter of Demands as Benazir Bhutto insists on independent judiciary rather than restoration of Judges, who did not take oath under PCO, Haq said.Political analysts say that the move of Sharif brothers to approach CEC might be a prelude by PML-N to budge from its stance of boycotting the elections in the wake current developments. PML-N is under severe pressure from within and outside the party not to boycott the upcoming polls.
The envoys of Islamic countries are said to have urged the PML-N leaders to participate in the elections.
Pakistan Peoples Party and JUI-F have announced to participate in the elections on arguments that boycott would only benefit the Musharraf. The PML-N, PTI and JI want first restoration of November 2 Judiciary and then elections. They contend that history would never forgive the politicians if they did not lend support to the sacked judges during their hour of trial.