Kulsoom’s nomination acceptance challenged

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek on Friday filed an appeal before election tribunal comprising two judges of Lahore High Court, challenging returning officer’s order about acceptance of PML-N leader Begum Kulsoom Nawaz’s nomination papers for NA-120 by-election.

Returning officer of NA-120 on Thursday rejected all objections filed against candidature of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and accepted her nomination papers as well as of 54 other candidates for the by-election.

PAT’s lawyer Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry, who is contesting for NA-120 seat, filed the appeal, saying that Kulsoom Nawaz concealed actual facts of her financial status and sources.  Kulsoom Nawaz claimed she was dependent on her spouse Nawaz Sharif but at the same time she was share-holders of various companies, the counsel said.  

The counsel alleged that Kulsoom did not pay agriculture income tax and showed ‘Iqama’ (work permit) for a company in UAE but did not submit salary receipts and other savings. She also did not mention belongings of her house she owned in Murree, the counsel said.

He said she concealed facts from the Election Commission and, thus, she violated the law. He requested the tribunal to set aside decision of the returning officer regarding acceptance of Kulsoom Nawaz’s nomination papers.

Election Tribunal comprising Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh and Justice Shahid Waheed will take up appeals of the candidates against decisions of the returning officer on August 21. The tribunal will continue hearing of the matters till August 24.