ECP approves Yasmin's nomination papers, Kulsoom departs for London
- By Web Desk -
- Aug 17, 2017
LAHORE: The nomination papers for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid have been approved for NA-120 by-poll on last day for completion of nomination papers’ scrutiny, while her rival candidate Kulsoom Nawaz‘s lawyer will turn up before the returning officer (RO) for scrutiny of the papers.
PTI’s Dr Yasmin appeared at 11am for scrutiny papers, while Ms Kulsoom – wife of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif – who was scheduled to appear before the RO at 3pm, in a surprise development left for London via Pakistan International Airline (PIA) flight PK757.
Talking to media, Dr Yasmin later said that 25 objections have been filed against Kulsoom Nawaz for concealing her salary, her designation as Deputy Chairperson in Sharif family’s Capital FZE company.
She urged the RO for rejection of Kulsoom’s nomination papers.
In reply to a question, she said: “Kulsoom might have left for London to escape an unfavourable situation.”
The candidates of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) have already filed objections against PML-N’s candidate Ms Kulsoom over concealing her salary after disclosing her foreign work-permit in the nomination papers besides diatribe against military and treason charges.
Kulsoom Nawaz will undergo a medical checkup in London and will return to Lahore on September 23 after the by-poll in NA-120, sources said.
The appeals against rejection or acceptance of nomination papers can be filed by August 21. The appellate tribunal is to decide the appeals by August 24.
Moreover, the candidates can withdraw their papers till August 25. The RO will release final list of the candidates on August 26 as polling in the NA-120 constituency (Lahore) is scheduled on September 17.
It merits to be mentioned here that Nawaz Sharif was disqualified on July 28 from holding public office by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in its final judgment in the Panama Papers case.
Following the verdict, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson announced Nawaz Sharif had stepped down as the prime minister by acceding to the court orders despite having reservations, leaving the National Assembly seat (NA-120) vacant.
In the General Elections 2013, Nawaz Sharif had secured 91,683 votes by winning the seat against 52,354 votes of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s candidate Yasmin Rashid.