LAHORE: An election tribunal comprising a Lahore High Court judge on Friday sought arguments on maintainability of an election petition against the victory of Federal Defence Minister Khwaja Asif as MNA from NA-71, Sialkot.

Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad, the tribunal, heard the petition filed by PTI-backed candidate Rehana Imtiaz Dar.

Minister’s counsel Haris Azmat objected to the maintainability of the petition, arguing that the petitioner, Rehana Dar, did not fulfill the legal requirements while filing the petition. He pointed out that the affidavit submitted along with the petition was not in accordance with the law and the signatures on it were forged.

The counsel asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition declaring it not maintainable.

The petition alleged that according to Form 45, Ms Dar had secured the highest number of votes but Khwaja Asif was declared the winner in Form 47.

The petitioner asked the tribunal to set aside the impugned notification of Asif’s victory and declare her a returned candidate.

RESERVED: The tribunal reserved its verdict on maintainability of an election petition challenging the victory of PML-N MPA Irfan Shafi Khokhar from PP-167, Lahore.

PTI-backed independent candidate Ammar Bashir filed the petition.

Separately, the tribunal adjourned an election petition of PML-N leader Rana Mashhood Ahmad challenging the victory of Sunni Ittehad Council MPA Misbah Wajid from PP-172.

The hearing was adjourned due to unavailability of the respondent’s lead counsel.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2025