PESHAWAR: An election tribunal declared PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s nomination papers valid for NA-22 Mardan, allowing him to contest by-election in constituency. Tribunal was hearing an appeal against approval of former prime minister’s nomination papers for constituency. Petitioner’s lawyer argued that Khan is already a member of National Assembly and has not given any reason to contest election from another constituency.

It must be noted that Khan is an MNA from NA-95 Mianwali-I constituency. His resignation in protest after he was ousted from premiership via a no trust vote has not yet been accepted by NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. At this, lawyer of Election Commission of Pakistan said that there is no ban on contesting elections from more than one constituency. Imran Khan’s lawyer took stand that his client has resigned and can no longer be considered an MNA. Election tribunal reserved its verdict after hearing arguments of lawyers. Announcing it after some time, it declared it has dismissed petitioner’s appeal and found Imran Khan’s nomination papers to be valid.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 26 2022

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