Plea against Sheikh Waqas dismissed by LHC

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the candidature of former federal minister Sheikh Waqas Akram from Jhang NA-115. Muhammad Imran, a voter from the constituency, filed a petition pleading that the returning officer had rejected the nomination papers of Akram on the basis of fake academic credential and concealment of assets.

However, he said, an appellate tribunal accepting appeal of Akram set aside the decision of the RO and allowed him to contest the upcoming general elections. The petitioner contended that the tribunal allowed the appeal of Akram ignoring the facts of the case.

He asked the court to set aside the impugned decision and disqualify Waqas Akram to contest the election. A division bench comprising Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza and Justice Jawad Hassan dismissed the petition and upheld the decision of the appellate tribunal.

The same bench recused from a petition challenging the nomination papers of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat’s chief Maulana Ahmad Ludhyanvi from NA-115 and PP126 (Jhang). The bench referred the petition to the chief justice for its fixation before any other appropriate bench for the disposal.

Fida Hussain had filed two identical petitions challenging the candidature of Ludhyanvi from both constituencies. He alleged that did not disclose the details of his assets and also the criminal cases registered against him while filing nomination papers before the returning officer. He said appellate tribunal also allowed Ludhyanvi to contest the election.   The petitioner asked the court to set aside the impugned decisions and reject the nomination papers of Ludhyanvi.