ECP rejects Rashid, accepts Gilani and Vawda’s papers
ISLAMABAD: The nomination papers of senior Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-N) leader Pervez Rashid for the Senate elections were rejected on the charge of being a defaulter of government dues.
The candidacy papers of former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and Federal Minister Faisal Vawda were accepted.
Rashid was accused of defaulting on payments of the Punjab House Islamabad. Pakistan Tehrik-e-insaf (PTI) member of the Punjab Assembly Zainab Omar had filed an objection against Rashid.
Later, Rashid described the move as a vindictive act on behalf of the government. He accused
Prime Minister Imran Khan of not tolerating criticism, saying that efforts were being made to keep him out of the parliament.
He also accused the government of preparing a fake ‘demand’ against him. “I am even ready to make the fake payment.”
The PML-N leader said that he wanted to pay the dues to the Punjab House but its management was not accepting it. “You can close the doors on me, but you can’t stop my voice. I will appeal against the decision to reject my nomination papers.”
Rashid alleged that fake cases against PML-N leaders were being made, accusing the government of keeping political opponents “away from the field”. “I did not keep silent then and I will not be silent now,” he said. “People such as me are like a thorn in the government’s side.”
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) held Gilani’s nomination papers in order. It said Gilani was convicted under Article 63(1)(g) of the Constitution. However, a period of five years had elapsed since his conviction and he stands qualified for contesting election to the Senate from federal capital.
“All the cases mentioned in the nomination papers are pending adjudication in different courts as such in the absence of conviction, a candidate cannot be barred from contesting elections as it is the basic principle of law that every person is innocent unless proven guilty,” the order stated.
Business tycoon Mohammad Abdul Qadir, whose nomination by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) as a Senate candidate created a serious rit in it forcing it to revoke its sponsorship, has been fielded by the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).
Even ater the PTI had withdrawn its ticket, Qadir had submited his nomination papers as an independent candidate. Later, he succeeded in mustering support of the BAP for contesting the Senate election.
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani made the announcement and denied the reports that Qadir had given funds to the BAP.