LHC allows Ishaq Dar to contest Senate elections

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Saturday allowed former finance minister Ishaq Dar to contest the upcoming Senate elections.

An appellate bench of the high court set aside the returning officer’s decision that had rejected his nomination papers for the Senate polls.

The verdict came on an election petition filed by Ishaq Dar through which he challenged rejection of his nomination papers.

In his petition, the outgoing senator, Ishaq Dar, submitted through his counsel that the returning officer rejected his nomination papers for the Senate polls despite the fact that he had fulfilled all legal requirements.

He argued that his nomination was rejected without giving him a fair hearing.

Dar’s counsel contended that the returning officer rejected the nomination papers merely on the basis of allegations.

The bench was requested to set aside the returning officer’s decision of rejecting the nomination papers of the former finance minister.

Earlier this week, the electoral authorities rejected Dar’s nomination papers on the ground that he has been declared a proclaimed offender in a graft case, which was pending against him in an accountability court in the federal capital.

The former finance minister, who is currently abroad in connection with his treatment, is facing allegations of amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income.