PHC allows Asad Qaiser to contest elections

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday dismissed the appeal filed against the acceptance of the nomination papers of former speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, and allowed him to contest the general elections.

A two-member of the PHC consisting of Justice Sahibzada Assadullah and Justice Ijaz Khan Sabi heard the appeal. The writ was filed by one Yousaf Khan.

The counsel for the petitioner told the court that Asad Qaiser had a bank account in his name which he had not mentioned in the nomination papers filed for contesting the general elections slated for February 8.

He added that the former speaker of the National Assembly owned a private school system as well which he had not shown in the papers.

The court asked him if his client had raised the very objections in the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Asad Qaiser’s counsel, Barrister Waqar Ali Khan, submitted to the court that the appeal was not maintainable. He contended that the account in Asad Qaiser’s name was in fact the party’s account. He explained that even the ECP had declared that in the party’s foreign funding case.

The counsel said there was a tribunal to deal with the objections to the nomination papers. He said the court had a limited power towards that end.

The court declared the nomination papers of Asad Qaiser valid after hearing the arguments from both the sides.

Meanwhile, another PHC two members bench put on notice the federal and provincial governments in a separate plea filed by Asad Qaiser seeking security for him.

Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Shakil Ahmad heard the case.

Moazzam Butt Advocate appeared in the court for Asad Qaiser. He submitted that his client had served as the National Assembly speaker in the past and that the Constitution allowed him to keep security but it had been withdrawn by the government. The counsel requested the court to order provision of the security to his client as per the law.

Also, the counsel submitted that his client wanted to proceed to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah but his name had been put on the exit control list. He wanted the name off the ECL so that his client was able to perform Umrah.

The court issued notices to the federal secretary for interior and additional chief secretary Home of KP and sought reply by January 25.