LHC Reserves Verdict on Fawad’s Nomination Papers Petition

APP

Lahore: A Lahore High Court (LHC) three-member bench on Friday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry against rejection of his nomination papers from two constituencies.

The bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the petition filed by Fawad Chaudhry and reserved the verdict after hearing detailed arguments from the parties.

In the course of arguments, Fawad’s counsel submitted that the returning officer and tribunal rejected the nomination papers of his client, contrary to facts. He submitted that all legal requirements were fulfilled for the filing of nomination papers, adding that all documents regarding tax and property were attached to them.

He further submitted that his client was imprisoned and that he had given a power of attorney to his wife, Hiba Chaudhry. He pleaded with the bench to set aside the decision of the returning officer and tribunal and allow his client to contest the election.

However, a counsel for the Election Commission submitted that, as per law, candidates had to declare their assets themselves, besides signing all documents. He submitted that neither any affidavit nor papers were signed by Fawad Chaudhry, which was a mandatory requirement.

He further stated that if a candidate was imprisoned, an application would be filed with the trial court. After getting approval from the court, candidates could be approached for signing the nomination papers in jail, he added.

It is pertinent to mention that Fawad Chaudhry had challenged the rejection of his nomination papers for National Assembly constituencies NA-60 and NA-61.

Meanwhile, the bench also reserved a verdict on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist SanamJaved against the rejection of her nomination papers for one national and two provincial assemblies’ constituencies after hearing detailed arguments from the parties.