from the high court. Later, Malik Qayyum was replaced by another former attorney general Makhdum Ali Khan as the petitioner’s counsel. In around 31 hearings of the case, the petitioner’s counsel did not appear in more than 20 hearings.
Adnan Khan’s nomination papers for the seat reserved for technocrats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were rejected by the returning officer on February 14, 2009.The returning officer had observed that Adnan Khan did not qualify the definition of a technocrat as he did not possess the experience of 20 years in the relevant field as required under Section 2(d) of Conduct of General Elections Order, 2002 for a candidate.
The appellate tribunal comprising Justice Jehanzeb Rahim of the high court had also dismissed his appeal and maintained the decision of the returning officer on February 19, 2009. The tribunal had ruled that Adnan Khan was hardly 34 years old and had got his master’s degree from the Preston University in 2001.
The tribunal observed that Adnan Khan had mentioned himself as a marketing consultant and keeping in view his 20 years experience he should have started the said consultancy at the age of 14 when he had not even passed the Class-VIII examination.
Adnan Khan then appealed to the PHC in a writ petition and he was allowed to contest the Senate election. The court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan to make arrangements for his notification as candidate.
Subsequently, the high court expressed displeasure over the non-appearance of the petitioner’s counsel during several hearings and observed that no further adjournments would be allowed. However, the hearing of the case continued to be adjourned.
Qazi Muhammad Anwar said that after the polls, a candidate Ali Gohar had also filed an election petition before the election tribunal on the same grounds. However, the election tribunal had adjourned hearing of the election petition for an indefinite period and observed that it would be heard after the high court decides the petition.