Tribunal suspends disqualification of PTI MPA in Multan

Published October 13, 2018
Salman Naeem’s supporters celebrate his win from PP-217 against Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the general elections. — File Photo
Salman Naeem’s supporters celebrate his win from PP-217 against Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the general elections. — File Photo

MULTAN: Election Tribunal Judge Shahid Karim suspended on Friday the disqualification of Salman Naeem, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MPA from PP-217, by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Oct 1.

Mr Naeem filed a petition with the tribunal challenging his disqualification, saying that the act of ECP in determining the application filed by respondent Nos 2 and 5 - Shoaib Akmal Qureshi Hashmi and Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi - was out with the authority of the ECP.

He stated that his lawyers challenged the short order of disqualification as the short order could not have been passed and that was the prerogative of superior courts.

“In the said order it has been observed that detailed order was recorded separately. To this date that detailed order has not been made available to the petitioner. This also impugned upon the rights of the voters of the constituency who have since been un-represented and have been deprived of their lawful elected representation,” he stated.

Justice Karim directed to issue notices to the respondents for Nov 11.

Mr Naeem defeated Shah Mehmood Qureshi as an independent candidate in the July 25 elections. He was disqualified by the ECP for being underage, as per Nadra record he is less than 25 years and no candidate, less than 25 years of age is qualified to retain the seat.

In the elections, Mr Naeem secured 35,300 votes while PTI candidate Mr Qureshi bagged 31,716 votes. By-election for the constituency is to be held on Nov 28.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....