Lahore High Court Sets Aside Tribunal Verdict Against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

A Lahore High Court division bench on Thursday set aside the appellate tribunal verdict which had disqualified former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and barred him from contesting the election from NA-57 (Murree).

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jul, 2018 ) :A Lahore High Court division bench on Thursday set aside the appellate tribunal verdict which had disqualified former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and barred him from contesting the election from NA-57 (Murree).

The bench comprising Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Sardar Ahmad Naeem passed the orders while allowing a petition filed by the former prime minister against the tribunal verdict.

Earlier, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi along with his counsel Khawaja Tariq Rahim appeared before the bench at the outset of the hearing.

Tariq Rahim questioned the appellate tribunal verdict saying that it was against facts. He said that the tribunal rejected the nomination papers on the grounds that the petitioner did not provide details and current value of his assets despite the fact that he had provided cost of the assets. He contended that the petitioner was not bound to provide the current value of assets as per rules.

He submitted that the tribunal went beyond his jurisdiction and not only declared his client ineligible but also disqualified him under Article 62(1)(f) of the constitution. He submitted that the tribunal did not have any authority to disqualify any candidate permanently.He pleaded with the bench to set aside the tribunal verdict.

However,respondents' counsel opposed the petitioner's counsel contentions and requested the bench to dismiss the petition.

But,the bench after hearing detailed arguments set aside the tribunal verdict and declared Shahid Khaqan Abbasi eligible to contest elections from NA-57.

It is pertinent to mention here that the bench had already allowed former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to contest election from NA-57 ( Murree) while suspending appellate tribunal's decision.

Shahid Khaqan,through his petition,had challenged the tribunal's decision before the high court under its writ jurisdiction and prayed to set aside tribunal's decision of rejecting his nomination papers and disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) of the constitution.

An Appellate tribunal headed by Justice Ibadur Rehman Lodhi at the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court rejected the nomination papers of the former premier.

Talking to media on the occasion, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed hope that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would succeed in the general elections with a heavy majority. He said that PML-N leadership was present in the country and running election campaign.

Commenting on Nawaz Sharif's stay in London, he said that he would return on improvement in health condition of his wife.

"We pray that a transparent election is held in Pakistan," Abbasi commented.