SHC issues notices on petition against rejection of Fehmida, Zulfiqar Mirza’s papers

The Sindh High Court on Monday issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan and others on petitions against the rejection of nomination papers filed by Grand Democratic Alliance leaders Dr Fehmida Mirza and her spouse Dr Zulfiqar Mirza from national and provincial assemblies’ constituencies.

Former National Assembly speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza and her spouse former home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza had filed the petitions against the rejection of their nomination papers from NA-223 Badin and PS-70, PS71 and PS-72 respectively.

The appellants’ counsel submitted that the nomination papers on the ground of a bank loan default in an early 2003 case, which was not substantial under the law, and there was no bank default by them.

The court was requested to set aside the ROs’ orders as well as those of the election tribunal and to direct them to accept the nomination papers. It also issued notices to the ECP and others on a petition against the rejection of nomination papers filed by Rah-e-Haq party candidate Maulana Aurangzaib Farooqui from PS-88 Malir.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the returning officer rejected the nomination papers of Farooqui without considering the relevant facts, and requested the court to set aside the RO order.

The court directed the returning officer to re-examine the nomination papers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement candidate Amir Gul from PS-97 Karachi. The returning officer submitted that nomination papers of the candidate was rejected on the basis of incomplete information. The court directed the RO to re-examine the papers of the MQM candidate, who was directed to provide relevant details in the nomination form.