LAHORE – The Election Tribunal Lahore has rejected a petition that challenged the election victory of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif from the provincial constituency PP-159, Lahore.
The petition was filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Mehr Sharafat Ali, who contested Maryam Nawaz’s win in the provincial assembly election. He alleged irregularities in the polling process and sought to nullify the result.
However, Judge Rana Zahid Mahmood, who presided over the case, dismissed the petition as inadmissible after announcing the reserved verdict. The tribunal ruled that the petitioner failed to comply with the requirements outlined under Rule 144 of the Election Act 2017.
According to the written order, the petition contained multiple procedural flaws. Several pages lacked the petitioner’s signatures, while the affidavit verified by the oath commissioner did not include the petitioner’s or his father’s name, making the document incomplete.
Barrister Asadullah Chattha, representing Maryam Nawaz, argued that the petition was legally flawed and could not be maintained. He stated that the petition did not meet the basic legal standards necessary for a valid election challenge.
The tribunal accepted these arguments, noting that the case lacked sufficient legal grounds to proceed to a formal trial. Judge Mahmood remarked that the petitioner had not fulfilled essential documentation and verification requirements, which rendered the petition void.
With this decision, Maryam Nawaz’s victory from PP-159 remains officially upheld. The ruling also reinforces her position as Punjab’s first female Chief Minister, elected with a clear mandate in the provincial elections.
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Legal experts say the verdict highlights the importance of adhering to procedural laws when filing election petitions, ensuring that challenges are based on valid and properly documented grounds.
