Retraction of approval for Fawad’s nomination documents
Following the declaration that Fawad Chaudhary’s wife was unable to run for office due to “hiding facts,” the order authorizing the candidate’s nomination papers was rescinded on Saturday.
Following the confirmation of complaints regarding three unannounced international travels and nine bank accounts against Hiba Chaudhary, the election tribunal barred her from running in the provincial constituency of Jhelum.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) gave information on the bank accounts, while the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) produced documentation of Hiba’s outside travels, leading to the rejection.
Given these conclusions, Fawad was also criticized for omitting the material from his nomination papers. As a result, the acceptance order for the former PTI leader’s NA-60 and NA-61 nomination papers was revoked.
The tribunal asked, “Why should the former information minister not be disqualified for hiding facts?” and sent letters to Fawad Chaudhry for January 9.
The prospect of Fawad’s disqualification is very real now that the nomination papers have been withdrawn.
Separately, when appeals against the judgments of returning officers begin to be entertained, a number of PTI leaders and other candidates found some respite.
When discussing returning officers’ eligibility, Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon said, “No one can be prevented from participating in elections based solely on preliminary proceedings.” Election contests are being unfairly prevented from being contested by candidates.”
Justice Memon said, “It appears the returning officer rejected nomination papers impulsively.”
Appeal against returning officers’ rulings was heard in the Sindh High Court for PTI’s Subhan Sahil (NA-243), Amjad Afridi (NA-242), Hassan Chohan (PS-113), and Makhdoom Fazal (Hala).
The PPP’s Rauf Ahmed and independent candidate Raffia Hassan from PS-126, as well as the independent candidates Jamal ud Din and Dildar Ali from NA-237 and Fazal Zeshan from NA-237, had their appeals allowed by the tribunal.
“How can we proceed when returning officers cannot accurately identify the facts even with the use of modern technology?” the tribunal asked in reference to the chief of the election commission. Speaking with candidates and attorneys, Justice Memon said, “Go, get ready for the election battle.”
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