LAHORE, Nov 26: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday filed his nomination papers at Aiwan-i-Adl, creating an option for himself to contest the general elections in contrast to his commitment to boycott the same from the All Parties Democratic Movement’s platform.

Upbeat and surrounded by jostling crowd, Sharif waived to his supporters and national and international media - perched precariously on gates and balconies of the court building - on his way to the courtroom of Additional Sessions Judge Mian Khaliquz Zaman, where he filed his paper for NA-120.

His brother, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, former chief minister, Punjab, also filed his nomination papers for NA-119 in the courtroom of ASJ Ashtar Abbas. Shahbaz Sharif’s son Hamza filed his papers for PP-142. Hamza Shahbaz also filed papers for NA 119 and PP 142 as the covering candidate for his father.

The Sharifs arrived at Aiwan-i-Adl in a bullet-proof jeep, which was being escorted by several police cars. Amid roaring slogans, they came out of their vehicles and waded through the crowd to enter the premises of the court.

After breaking the cordon, the crowd followed the Sharifs to the courtrooms. As soon as Nawaz filed the papers, slogans of ‘go Musharraf go’ broke out.

Outside a group of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf leaders and workers tore apart nomination papers, emphasising the importance of boycotting the elections. “The PTI has boycotted the elections under protest for restoration of the judiciary. We believe whoever participates in elections will do so under the doctrine of necessity,” said PTI Lahore leader Omar Cheema.

“By contesting, they will endorse the illegitimate election and actions of Gen Pervez Musharraf,” added Cheema.

Knowing it was the last date for filing of the nomination papers, politicians from several parties thronged the premises along with their supporters. Moonis Elahi, son of former Punjab chief minister Pervez Elahi, filed papers from PP 152. Pervez Elahi’s other son Rasikh Elahi filed papers from PP 152 as covering candidate of his brother.

PPP’s Jahangir Badar filed his papers from NA-120 and PP-142. Badar’s son Zulfiqar Ali Badar filed papers for NA-127 and PP-153. Liaqat Baloch filed papers for NA-126, Farid Paracha for NA-121, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi NA-123, Muhammad Pervez Malik for NA-120 and NA-121, Ehsanullah Waqas NA-127, Salman Butt PP-149 and NA-122, Mian Umar, Mian Misbahahur Rehman NA-122, Ameerul Azeem PP-144 and PP-147, Muhammad Ehsan Ganjial PP-153, Rana Mashhood PP-149, Tariq Banday NA-119 and PP-141, Zaeem Qadri NA-123 and NA-122, Ziaullah Khan Manj NA-125, Umar Misbahur Rehman NA-122, Asif Saeed Kirmani PP-147, Sameena Khalid Ghurki NA-130, Ashiq Dial NA-130, Rana Tajamal NA-130, Tariq Shabbir NA-129, Mian Muhammad Azhar NA-118, Asif Hashmi NA-118, Tahir Khaleeq PP-148, Malik Khalid Pervez NA-128, Rana Muhammad Tariq NA-128, Zakirullah Mujahid NA-128, Azeezur Rehman Chann PP-144, Sheikh Idrees NA-126, Rohail Asghar NA-124, Naveed Ashiq Diyal NA-130, Mian Misbahur Rehman NA-122, Javed Amin Khan NA-125, Faisal Rasool NA-125, Rafiuddin NA-125, Ramzan Chaudhry advocate NA-129, Mian Fayaz PP-151, Khurram Asghar NA-145, Ali Asghar PP-146, Muhammad Jahangir PP-160, Rana Muhammad Tariq PP-161, Ijaz Qayum Butt PP-147, Dr Asif Saeed Kirmani PP-147, Naveed Ashiq Diyal PP-157, Ijaz Qayum Butt PP-147, Shakil Ahmad Pasha PP-155, Chaudhry Waqar PP-156, Muhammad Aslam Bhatti PP-156, Yasin Rasool PP-155, Dr Ilyas PP-155, Yaqoob Bhatti PP-155, Muhammad Aslam Bhatti PP-156, Rana Khalid PP-159and Malik Riaz filed nomination papers for NA 118.