The Lahore High Court (LHC) made a decisive ruling on Saturday, dismissing an appeal presented by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), challenging the rejection of his nomination papers by the returning officer.
Despite the setback for Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, the court did provide a glimmer of hope by granting permission for his wife, Qaisara Elahi, to participate in the upcoming general elections. The decision came as a result of allegations regarding the concealment of crucial information in Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s nomination papers. Shahzad Shoukat, Elahi’s legal representative, shed light on the accusations, citing the failure to disclose a license for seven weapons and the omission of a special account in the nomination papers.
Shoukat stressed the compliance of Elahi with legal requirements, asserting that “according to the law, everything is stated in the papers.” He also raised concerns about an alleged attempt to confiscate the nomination papers, highlighting Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s status as a seasoned politician deserving the right to contest elections.
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During the proceedings, Shoukat addressed the court’s attention to the arrest of their appointed representative when attempting to submit the nomination papers. Responding to queries from Justice Najafi, the lawyer revealed, “They arrested their appointed representative when he went to submit the nomination papers.”
Justice Najafi sought clarification on whether it was the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) responsibility to issue timely orders and inquired if any complaints were lodged with the ECP. Shoukat explained their course of action, stating, “We approached the court, and after court orders, we were allowed to go to the RO office.”
Subsequently, the court rendered its verdict, resulting in the rejection of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s appeal. This legal setback presented a significant challenge for the senior PTI leader’s electoral aspirations.
In a previous directive, the LHC had instructed the Regional Police Officer (RPO) of Gujranwala, along with the District Police Officers (DPOs) of Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin, to strictly adhere to legal protocols. The court emphasized that they must not obstruct Qaisara Elahi from submitting her nomination papers for the impending general elections before the relevant officers.
Qaisara Elahi, expressing her intention to contest the forthcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, asserted that she, along with her husband Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and Moonis, aimed to participate in the electoral process. To facilitate the submission of their nomination papers, authorized representatives were appointed. However, Qaisara Elahi raised concerns about alleged obstruction by the Punjab police, including instances of illegal abduction faced by the authorized individuals attempting to submit the nomination papers. The legal proceedings underscored the intricacies and challenges surrounding the electoral process in the given context.
