Replies sought on plea against Rs2b spending before by-polls

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought replies from secretary local government and Tepa on a petition questioning spending of a hefty amount of Rs2 billion in NA-120 before by-election on the seat after it had fallen vacant on account of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification in Panama case.

Justice Shamas Mehmood Mirza was hearing a petition moved by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s leader Yasmin Rashid who contested by-election against Kulsoom Nawaz and lost. The petitioner through her counsel pleaded that in order to ensure victory of former prime minister’s wife, a huge amount of Rs2 billion was spent in the constituency on different projects. It was a blatant violation of election laws and amounted to purchase loyalties of voters as well as misuse of government resources, adding that the tax payers’ money was spent for personal gains.

She pointed out that she moved a number of applications to the government authorities concerned seeking details of spending in the constituency but to no avail. The court issued notice to the respondents and sought replies for March 19.