ISLAMABAD: An appellate tribunal in Islamabad on Tuesday set aside a ruling of the returning officer concerned to reject nomination papers of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for NA-53 Islamabad, allowing him to contest the July 25 polls.
The Appellate Tribunal comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani gave this verdict on an appeal filed by the PML-N stalwart challenging the RO verdict of rejecting his nomination papers.
On June 19, the RO rejected the former premier’s nomination papers on the ground that he submitted an incomplete affidavit along with alleged tampered nomination papers.
Abbasi along with his counsel appeared before the tribunal today and contended that the RO rejected his nomination form because it was incomplete.
In doing so, the RO went beyond his jurisdiction, the lawyer argued and pleaded that his client be allowed to run in the upcoming general elections.
Earlier, Abbasi submitted in the appeal that the returning officer’s order is against the law and liable to be set aside as per the election act.
He said the RO cannot reject a nomination form owing to an objection that is not substantial in nature.
Meanwhile, the appellate tribunal also dismissed objections raised on nomination papers of former governor KP Sardar Mehtab Abbasi for NA-53 by the RO and allowed him to contest the polls.
It also allowed Ayesha Gulalai to contest the polls from NA-53 Islamabad and dismissed the returning officer’s objection to her nomination papers.
