Imran’s counsel argues rejection of nomination papers on ‘flimsy grounds’

ISLAMABAD .: The counsel of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan argued before the appellate tribunal that the decision taken by a returning officer against the party chief’s NA-53 nomination papers was illegal and unjust.

Babar Awan, representing the PTI chairperson, passed these statements before Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani of the appellate tribunal while presenting Imran’s case. The returning officer of the district had rejected Imran’s paper along with former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ayesha Gulalai’s nominations.

Imran’s counsel had challenged the rejection on Wednesday. Justice Kiyani has sought record from the RO before issuing him a notice. He further questioned why Imran’s nomination was cancelled, at which, Awan responded that his rejection was on “flimsy grounds.”

“Imran is chairman of Pakistan’s largest political party, and strives for the basic rights of all. The RO scrutinised his nomination papers on June 19 and rejected them. Imran did not hide any facts nor lied,” Awan argued further. “The RO’s decision should be reversed and Imran’s nomination should be accepted,” Awan added.

Justice Kiyani adjourned the hearing until June 22.

On Tuesday, the RO rejected the nomination papers of three political heavyweights. While Imran cleared the major obstacle of objections to his candidature filed by former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s party candidate as well as by Gulalai. His papers were rejected for filing an incomplete affidavit with his papers.

The PTI chief, as well as Abbasi and Gulalai, failed to list important contributions they made in their former constituencies. Khan left the entry under Clause N of the affidavit blank and thus failed to comply with the requirement of filing completed papers.

“The affidavit is not duly filled in the way it was required as per the spirit of the direction. So leaving me with no option but to presume the affidavit being incomplete in its filing,” returning officer Mohammad Adnan observed in his written order.

Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor Mehtab Ahmed Khan also failed to meet the requirement in the affidavit and met the same fate as Imran. The judge observed that by leaving out this crucial information, the candidates had deprived the voters in the constituency to inspect these details and object to them if needed.

Interim Interior Minister Azam Khan on Thursday said that Bukhari had asked only once for a leave to travel abroad. The Senate’s Standing Committee held its session under Senator Rehman Malik in Islamabad.

Khan debriefed on his decision to remove Imran’s close aide’s name from the blacklist. He said that the secretary interior entered with a file and said that Bukhari is going to perform Umrah with Imran, but his name is blacklisted and he’s been halted from exiting the country.

Bukhari then submitted a request to remove his name off the blacklist and said, under oath, that he would return. He requested only once to be allowed to travel abroad. I checked Bukhari’s file and allowed a six-day leave, subject to his return.

Imran did not make any calls for Zulfi Bukhari, says interior minister

Khan further said no one called him, including Imran. Bukhari is facing a case in NAB for his offshore companies and his name was included in the ECL because on behalf of NAB’s request. Zulfi’s name was blacklisted as there was no cabinet committee so he wouldn’t be able to flee the country.

Source: Express Tribune