Shahid Khaqan Abbasi disqualified to contest elections from NA-57

ISLAMABAD - Former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been declared unfit to contest the upcoming elections from his hometown NA-57 (Murree) seat, in a major blow to the embattled Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz.

An Election Tribunal on Wednesday sustained an appeal against Abbasi’s candidature from the said constituency, disqualifying him from contesting elections from the constituency.

According to a detailed verdict, the Returning Officer for NA-57, Haider Ali, has also been sacked as he admitted his mistake. Moreover, investigations have also been launched against him.

Abbasi is also contesting the elections from NA-53 seat where he will be clashing with political titans including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief, Imran Khan and Ayesha Gulalai.

PTI bigwigs out of Electoral Race

Additionally, the appellant tribunal chaired by Justice Ibadul Rehman Lodhi of the Lahore High Court (LHC) also rejected nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Fawad Chaudhry from NA-67, and Sardar Ghulam Abbas from NA-64.

In a video message, the PTI spokesperson contended that there was no substantial evidence before his ineligibility to contest elections.

I am also moving Supreme Judicial COunsel against the judge who declared me unfit to contest the July 25 polls, dares Chaudhry.

The decision came on appeals filed by the candidates’ rivals against the returning officers (ROs) decision to accept the nomination papers.