Blow to PTI as Imran among large number of candidates whose papers rejected

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) suffered a severe blow on Saturday when the nomination papers of its main leadership, including founder Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, were rejected by the returning officers (ROs) concerned.

Imran Khan’s nomination papers were rejected for a National Assembly constituency in Lahore and his hometown Mianwali, officials of the provincial election commission confirmed on Saturday. Former prime minister had filed his nomination papers from Lahore’s NA-122 and Mianwali’s NA-89 constituencies for the February 8, 2024 elections.

“The PTI founder has been convicted,” the returning officer (RO) assigned to scrutinise the nomination papers of the NA-122 constituency said, explaining the basis of the decision dealing a blow to the PTI ahead of the polls.

The objections, raised by PMLN’s Mian Naseer, had referred to Khan’s five-year disqualification in the Toshakhana case wherein the electoral body had found him guilty of corrupt practices under Section 167 of the Elections Act, 2017. “PTI founder’s proposer and seconder do not belong to NA-122,” the objection added.

From Toshakhana’s disqualification to having an illegitimate daughter and defaulting on Rs3.6 million social security funds, multiple objections were raised on Khan’s nomination papers filed from his NA-89 Mianwali stronghold — a constituency from which he has won the previous elections.

Concurring with the objections, the returning officer rejected the former prime minister’s nomination papers.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also rejected PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s nomination papers from Multan’s NA-150, NA-151, PP-218 and Tharparkar’s NA-214 constituencies.

The ROs also rejected nomination papers of Qureshi’s son and daughter, terming the arguments of lawyers insufficient and unacceptable against objections filed by rival candidates. Mehar Bano Qureshi and son Zain Qureshi had filed their nominations from the same NA constituencies. Zain Qureshi’s proposer was present while the seconder was absent, the signature could not be verified. The proposer of Mehar Bano Qureshi was not from NA-150.

The nomination papers of fourth candidate from NA-150 Fozia Irfan were also rejected.

Former Punjab minister Chaudhry Waheed Arian had submitted his objections and challenged the proposer, seconders and affidavit of Shah Mehmood Qureshi. He claimed that Qureshi forged his affidavit and his signatures on the nomination papers were fake. The affidavit was issued from Islamabad instead of Multan. He said Qureshi defaulted on payment of Rs91,000. His proposers and seconders were both absent at the time of scrutiny proceedings.

Talking to the media outside the RO office, Qureshi’s counsel Mehar Zamir Sandhal said that everyone witnessed what had happened there. An application on what transpired today had been submitted to the RO. They had also called on 15. The counsel said he himself went to Adiala where he got the nomination papers of Shah Mehmood Sahib signed in the presence of the jail superintendent.

Shah Mehmood, Zain Qureshi and Mehar Bano Qureshi submitted nomination papers from NA-151, 150 and PP-218, PP-219. They appeared on Friday in PP-219 with Zain Qureshi’s proposer and seconder, he said. Today they failed to bring the proposer and seconder in NA-150, 151 and PP-218, as unidentified people took them away in vehicles to undisclosed locations.

Meanwhile, the nomination papers of former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Ahmed Hassan Dehr, PTI Senator Aoun Abbas Bappi and PTI’s Taimur Mahay were accepted from NA-148. The nomination papers of IPP Patron Jehangir Tareen, Amir Dogar were accepted from NA-149 Multan-II. The nomination papers of PPP’s Ali Musa Gilani, PMLN’s Ghaffar Dogar were accepted from NA-151 Multan-IV.

However, the nomination papers of PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif, party President Shehbaz Sharif, Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Istekam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) supremo Jehangir Khan Tareen and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq were accepted by the returning officers concerned for the National and provincial assemblies’ constituencies.

Zeeshan Malik, secretary to Maryam Nawaz, said nomination papers of Maryam Nawaz had been accepted from all the constituencies of Lahore and Sargodha. She had filed the nomination papers from NA-119, NA-120, PP-159, PP-160, PP-165 and PP-80 Sargodha.

Also, former federal minister and PTI leader Hammad Azhar’s nomination papers were rejected from PP-172. The PTI leaders can file appeals against the rejection of their papers by January 3, which will be decided by the appellate tribunals by January 10. The electoral body would publish the revised list of candidates on January 11.

Nomination papers of Mrs Rehana Imtiaz Dar, the mother of PTI leader Usman Dar, were rejected by the RO for NA-71 Sialkot-2 constituency. Also, nomination papers of Usman Dar’s sister-in-law, Ruba Dar, wife of Umer Dar, were also rejected from the same constituency. It was said the nomination papers of both the women were rejected mainly due to the alleged non-payment of Punjab Social Security dues. They had filed papers to contest election against PMLN leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

With the nomination papers of Azam Swati and Zulfi Bukhari also rejected earlier in the day, the party is facing legal and political challenges on multiple fronts. Apart from hundreds of Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO) notifications, issued as part of a nationwide crackdown on workers and leaders in relation to their alleged involvement in May 9 incidents, the former ruling party is also at risk of losing its electoral symbol “bat” altogether.

There was good news for the PTI in Rahim Yar Khan as the nomination papers of Chaudhry Javed Iqbal Warraich from NA-172, and Chaudhry Asif Majeed from PP-262 constituency were accepted after the scrutiny process.

Meanwhile, nomination papers of Bilawal Bhutto and Faryal Talpur were accepted. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s nomination papers for NA-194 and NA-196 were accepted in Larkana. Nomination papers of Asif Zardari’s sister Faryal Talpur were also approved for provincial assembly constituency PS-10.

The nomination papers of Rashid Mahmood of JUI-F from NA-194 and Nasir Mahmood of JIU-F from NA-196 were also approved in Larkana.

Also, nomination papers of GDA candidate Moazzam Abbasi from provincial assembly seats PS-11 and PS-12 were accepted. The nomination papers of Safdar Abbasi of GDA from NA-195 were also accepted.

However, the nomination papers of GDA candidate and former speaker National Assembly Fehmida Mirza were rejected for National Assembly seat NA-223 (Badin), while the nomination papers of her husband Zulfiqar Mirza and their son Hissam Mirza from NA-223 were also rejected.

Assistant Returning Officer Ali Hasan said according to the State Bank petition, filed in the Sindh High Court, the Mirza family defaulted on Rs220 million bank loans.

The nomination papers of Rasool Bakhsh Chandio, a PPP candidate from NA-223, were approved in Badin.

Muhammad Khan Junejo of the GDA announced challenging the decision of RO after his nomination papers were rejected for NA-209 Sanghar constituency.

Former caretaker prime minister Mohammadmian Soomro’s nomination papers for NA-190 and PS-1 Jacobabad were accepted by the ROs.

In Balochistan, the returning officers rejected the nominations papers of top politicians for National Assembly constituencies. Those whose nomination papers were rejected included Balochistan National Party-Mengal chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party central leader Nawab Ayaz Khan Jogezai, Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party Chairman Khushal Khan Kakar, PTI Senior Vice President and National Assembly former deputy speaker Qasim Khan Suri. However, the nomination papers of Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani of Pakistan Peoples Party were accepted for National Assembly constituency NA-264, Quetta-3 and leader of PTI Sardar Zainul Abideen for NA-264 Quetta-3.

Similarly, the RO rejected nomination papers of Aurangzeb Jogezai, leader of Balochistan National Party, for NA-262, Quetta-1, Muhammad Yousaf Khan Kakar, leader of Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party for NA-262, Quetta-1, Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha, former governor Balochistan and leader of PTI for NA-262, Quetta-1, Salar Khan Kakar, leader of PTI for NA-262, Quetta-1, Adil Bazai, leader of PTI for NA-262, Quetta-1.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), nomination papers of a number of candidates of PTI were rejected for different reasons by the returning officers during scrutiny.

Former speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, KP Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani, former federal ministers Ali Amin Gandapur, Murad Saeed, Ali Muhammad Khan, Azam Swati, MNAs Mujahid Khan, Junaid Akbar, Gul Zafar, Shandana Gulzar, former provincial ministers Atif Khan, Taimur Jhagra and Shahram Tarakai were among those whose nomination papers were rejected by the returning officers.

The nomination papers of other candidates including Sahibzada Sighbatullah, Dr Amjad Khan, Fazal Hakim Khan and Mian Sharafat were also rejected.

“Strongly condemn the politically motivated rejection of nomination papers of PTI candidates. We had already predicted that ROs will reject PTI candidates’ nomination papers on flimsy grounds,” tweeted Omar Ayub, general secretary of the PTI. A total of 5,278 candidates, including 578 women, had filed nomination papers in the general elections from across the province.

Shandana Gulzar and many others announced they will move the Peshawar High Court against the decision of the RO.

MANSEHRA: Returning Officer Hajrah Sami Saturday disqualified PTI leader Senator Azam Khan Swati from contesting the 2024 general election for NA-15 constituency.

MARDAN: The returning officers rejected the nomination papers of former federal minister Ali Muhammad Khan, former Member National Assembly Mujahid Khan, former provincial minister Muhammad Atif Khan, former Members Provincial Assembly Iftikhar Ali Mashwani, Amir Farzand Khan and Toufal Anjum.

CHARSADDA: The ROs rejected the nomination papers of 16 candidates running for two National and five provincial assemblies’ constituencies in Charsadda. Those, whose nomination papers were rejected for NA-24, included Nasir Ali, Junaid Khan. The nomination papers of Manzoor Ahmad and Junaid Ahmad running for PK-62 were rejected. The nomination papers of Javed Khan and Maulana Khalilur Rahman running for PK-63 were rejected. The nomination papers of six candidates were rejected for PK-64. They included Fahim Khan, Mian Rahim Shah, Khyal Mohammad, Abdul Rahman, Asad Khan and Abid Ali. The nomination papers of two candidates Hashim Khan and Rubina Bibi running for PK-65 were rejected. The nomination papers of two candidates Abuzar and Abdul Rehman were rejected for PK-66.

MINGORA: The nomination papers of almost all MNAs and MPAs were rejected by the returning officers in Swat. They were Imranullah, who was to face former chief minister Mahmood Khan, Swat Mayor Shahid Ali, Tehsil Kabal Chairman Saeed Khan. The nomination papers of PTI MPAs Fazal Hakim, Azizullah, Dr Amjad and Sharafat Ali were also rejected.

NOWSHERA: The RO rejected nomination papers of PTI leader and former adviser to chief minister Mian Khaliqur Rahman on NA-34, PK-87 and PK-89.

The nomination papers of Mian Umar Kakakhel, the son of late PTI leader Jamsheduddin Kakakhel, were rejected for PK-88. The nomination papers of PTI district head Daud Khan Khattak for NA-34, PK-87 and PK-89 were rejected. The nomination papers of JUIF candidate Syed Sajjad Ali Shah for NA34 and PK-88 were rejected. The nomination papers of former defence minister Pervez Khattak, Awami National Party leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain and PMLN former Member Provincial Assembly Ikhtiar Wali were accepted.

ABBOTTABAD: The nomination papers of KP Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani for NA-17 and PK-45 were rejected while the nomination papers of his wife Farzana Mushtaq were accepted.

CHITRAL: The returning officers rejected the nomination papers of Abdul Latif, Shahzada Sikandarul Mulk and Zarbahar of PTI. The nomination papers for the candidate running for NA-1 Abdul Latif of PTI were also rejected.

Here’s a list of other PTI candidates, whose nomination papers were rejected by ROs. PP-22 Tala Gang, Hafiz Amar Yasir; PP-63 Gujranwala: Tariq Gujjar, Lala Asadullah, Muhammad Ali; PP-68 Gujranwala: Mian Arqam Khan, Asim Khan; PP-67 Gujranwala: Ali Vakil Khan, wife and aunt; PP-84 Khushab: Fateh Khaliq Bandyal, Faisal Bandyal; PP-244 Chishtian: former MPA Malik Muzaffar Khan; NA-61 Jhelum: Fawad Chaudhry and wife Hiba Fawad; PP-209 Jahanian: Faisal Niazi; PP-210 Jahanian: Khalid Javed Arain; NA-69, Mandi Bahauddin: Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Moonis Elahi, Qaisara Elahi ; NA-79, Kamonke Gujranwala: Zafar Cheema, Sohail Zafar Cheema, Rizwan Zafar Cheema, Ali Wakil Khan, Rana Sajid Ali Shaukat, Aqsa Rana, Nabaa Ijaz, Rana Majid Ali Shaukat; PP-59 Gujranwala: Jamal Nasir Cheema, Nasir Cheema, Imran Yusuf Gujjar; NA 73 Daska, Ali Asjad Malhi, Bau Rizwan; Chichewatni Sahiwal, PP 202: Major (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, Adil Saeed Gujjar ; PP 203: Rai Hassan Nawaz, Rai Murtaza Iqbal, Rai Muhammad Iqbal; NA-72, Pasrur Sialkot: Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, Ahsan Abbas Advocate ; PP-90 Darya Khan, Bhakkar: Imran Khan’s cousins Irfanullah Niazi, Rafiq Khan Niazi; NA-189 Rojhan, Rajanpur: Zahid Mehmood Mazari, Sher Muhammad Mazari; NA-44, NA-45 Dera Ismail Khan: Ali Amin Gandapur; Pakpattan: Chaudhry Naeem Ibrahim; Okara: Maher Abdul Sattar, Chaudhry Saleem Sadiq, Rai Hamad Aslam, Maher Javed; PP-85 Mianwali: Abdul Rehman Babli Khan; NA-23 Ali Muhammad Khan.

AML President Shiekh Rashid Ahmad is also among those whose nomination papers were rejected.

According to the schedule released by the ECP, January 3 is the last date for filing of appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers for general seats of the NA and four provincial assemblies.

The 24 appellate tribunals, which were notified a few days back, would decide on the appeals to be filed by January 10. The ECP last Sunday notified the appointment of 24 judges of the four provincial high courts and Islamabad High Court as appellate tribunals for disposal of appeals against the rejection or acceptance of nomination papers of candidates, as the five-day deadline for the filing of nominations for general elections had ended Sunday.

As many as nine judges will act as tribunals in Punjab, followed by six in Sindh, five in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two each in Balochistan and the federal capital.