ECP’s reply sought on Pervez Rashid’s appeal

LAHORE:An election tribunal on Monday sought a reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on an appeal of senior PML-N leader Pervez Rashid challenging rejection of his nomination papers by the returning officer (RO) for the Senate polls.

Earlier, Rashid’s counsel argued before the tribunal the appeal lent had never been informed by the officials of the Punjab House in writing that he owed any amount to it in terms of rent charges. He said the RO gave the appellant one-day time for the payment of the amount, however, the officials concerned did not receive the same. Justice Shahid Waheed, the one-member tribunal, asked the counsel whether the appellant availed the accommodation at the Punjab House during 2011 to 2018. The counsel said it had been alleged that the appellant was a defaulter since 2011 whereas he was elected Senator in the same year.

At this, the tribunal also sought personal appearance of a responsible official of the Punjab House along with complete record. The tribunal would resume hearing on Tuesday (today). The appellant had contended that the RO acted beyond his jurisdiction and unlawfully rejected his nomination papers. He asked the tribunal to set aside the impugned decision of the RO and allow him to contest election of the Senate.

On objections filed by PTI MPA Zainab Umar and Advocate Rana Mudassir, a member of Insaf Lawyers Forum, the RO rejected the nomination papers of Rashid. They contended that Rashid was a defaulter of Punjab House and the unpaid amount was over Rs9 million. As per the documents produced by the objectors, Rashid owed Rs7.05 million, including Rs0.69 million charges for his stay between January and August 2011 and Rs6.4 million from June 2013 to May 2018. He also owned another amount of Rs 2.7 million for the stay of her daughter Poonam Rashid in the Punjab House.