Election Tribunal Dismisses Appeals Filed Against Candidature Of Aftab Sherpao, Ziaullah Afridi, Arsallah Khan

The Election Tribunal of Peshawar High Court (PHC) here Tuesday dismissed appeals filed against candidatures of Chairman Qumi Watan Party (QWP) Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, PPP stalwart Ziaullah Afridi and PMLN candidate for NA-21 Mardan, Arsallah Khan and allowed them to contest General Elections 2018.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jun, 2018 ) :The Election Tribunal of Peshawar High Court (PHC) here Tuesday dismissed appeals filed against candidatures of Chairman Qumi Watan Party (QWP) Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, PPP stalwart Ziaullah Afridi and PMLN candidate for NA-21 Mardan, Arsallah Khan and allowed them to contest General Elections 2018.

The tribunal, presided over by Justice, Syed Afsar Shah after examining record and hearing arguments of lawyers of ptcl and Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao upheld the decision of the Returning Officer NA 23 Charsadda-I and allowed QWP Chief to contest the election.

The PTCL authorities have challenged RO decision in the Election Tribunal by taking the plea that around Rs 3 lakh outstanding dues was pending against Sherpao since 1994, which was overlooked by the Returning Officer during scrutiny of nomination papers.

Sherpao's lawyer contended that all dues of PTCL were cleared by his client and therefore PTCL's petition may be dismissed.

The tribunal also dismissed appeals filed against ROs' decision for accepting nomination papers of PPP leader and candidate for PK-76 Peshawar, Ziaullah Khan Afridi and MLN candidate for NA 21 Mardan, Nawabzada Arsallah Khan and allowed them to contest general elections.

The petitioner claimed that Arsallah Khan was possessing dual nationality, which was overlooked by RO concerned and prayed for setting aside the decision of RO. However, Arsallah Khan lawyer said allegations leveled against his client was not true and prayed before the tribunal to dismiss the appeal of the rival candidate.

The tribunal also dismissed appeals of the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) against acceptance of nomination papers of former MNA and PTI candidate for NA-27 Noor Alam Khan, PTI Candidate for NA-28 Peshawar, Amir Ayub, former MNA Engr Hamidul Haq, Naeema Kishawar and allowed them to contest election.

The tribunal also rejected appeal filed against candidature of former provincial ministers Shahram Khan Tarkai and upheld RO decision.

The tribunal also upheld decision of RO for acceptance the nomination papers of former MPAs Imran Khan Mohmand and Yasin Khalil.

The NTC lawyer has claimed that Rs3049 was pending against former MNA and candidate for NA-28 Amir Ayub Khan and despite it the RO's has accepted his nomination papers, which was against elections rules and laws.

The NTC lawyer argued that Rs9509 was outstanding against PTI candidate for NA-76 Noor Alam Khan that was overlooked by the Returning Officer during scrutiny of nomination papers and prayed for setting aside ROs decision.

On this, Justice Afsar Shah observed that under article 63 of the Constitution, the limit of outstanding utility charges for disqualification of candidate was over Rs10,000 and candidates can't be disqualified under this parameter.

Another election tribunal, presided over by Justice Musarat Hilal has also dismissed appeals of NTC against former MNA Malik Bilal Rehman contesting on NA-42 Mohmand district, ex MPAs Nasim Hayat, Riffat Akbar Swati and a female candidate on women reserved seats Khurshid Begium and upheld decision of ROs.

Justice Musarat Hilali observed that all the outstanding dues against candidates fell within the prescribe limits and as such can't be disqualified on such grounds.

All the six tribunals constituted for KP by Election Commission will continue hearing on appeals till June 27 being the last day for disposals of all such appeals filed against acceptance and rejection of nomination papers by the ROs.