LHC suspends disqualification of ‘Independent’ candidate who defeated PTI’s Qureshi

LAHORE - The Lahore High Court Multan bench suspended on Friday the decision of Election Commission Of Pakistan (ECP) to disqualify a man who defeated  Pakistan Tehreek-e-eInsaf's (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi in general elections held on July 25.

Salman Ahmad, an independent candidate who defeated incumbent Foreign Minister for PP-217 seat of the Punjab Assembly, was disqualified from holding the seat because he was underage.

However, Salman moved LHC against the decision which suspended the ECP's decision and summoned answer from all the parties involved in the case.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/independent-candidate-muhammad-salman-who-defeated-ptis-shah-mehmood-disqualified/

Earlier, ECP disqualified Salman on a petition filed by a local leader of PTI who highlighted that Salman was underage and was thus not qualified to be a lawmaker.

Announcing the reserved verdict, the election-watchdog has ordered re-election in the constituency.

‘According to Nadra record, the age of Muhammad Salman is less than 25 years, however, legally no candidate, less than 25 years of age is qualified to retain the seat,’ stated ECP in its verdict.

Salman had joined PTI after his victory in a meeting with chairman Imran Khan.

In the General Elections, Muhammad Salman Naeem secured 35,300 votes while Qureshi bagged 31716 votes, shattering his dreams to steer Punjab, once governed by his father as a governor.