An election tribunal on Monday allowed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan to contest elections from the constituency of NA-95 Mianwali.

Imran cleared to contest Karachi’s NA-243 seat

During the hearing of the petition filed in the appellate tribunal by Imran against the returning officer’s decision rejecting his candidature, the PTI chairman maintained that the RO rejected his nomination papers over his failure to submit an affidavit on time.
Meanwhile, a tribunal in Rawalpindi adjourned the hearing pertaining to the RO’s rejection of former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Sardar Mehtab’s candidature in NA-53.

During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani remarked that a huge number of nomination papers were rejected due to incomplete bank accounts details and inquired whether the candidates were unable to comprehend the questions.

“Were the affidavits in Urdu?” he asked. A representative from the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) replied that the language used was English.

The judge also questioned the candidates over their performance in their constituencies. From the ECP, he inquired if the former prime minister should be given benefit of doubt. When the commission replied in the positive, the tribunal directed authorities to assist in the matter and the adjourned hearing till June 25.

In Balochistan, the appellate tribunal will continue hearing appeals against decisions taken by ROs in the province.

A total of 255 appeals have been filed by candidates in the south-western province – out of which 148 candidates have been approved while nine decisions taken by ROs have been sustained. The decision for other appeals will be announced by June 27. The district returning officers will be finalising polling schemes today.