Setback for PTI as Haleem Adil Sheikh faces nomination paper rejection
Legal challenge emerges as PTI Leader’s nomination papers rejected in NA-238 Karachi
KARACHI, [Date]: The election landscape in NA-238 Karachi takes an interesting turn as the returning officer (RO) rejects the nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Sheikh. The decision comes after three residents of the constituency filed objections against Sheikh, alleging his involvement in the May 9 riots, incidents that followed the arrest of PTI supremo Imran Khan.
The objections prompted the RO to reject Sheikh’s nomination papers, setting the stage for a legal battle. Adil’s lawyer has announced plans to challenge the RO’s decision in the Sindh High Court (SHC), seeking a reconsideration of the rejection.
The election process has now entered its second phase, with ROs scrutinizing the thousands of nomination papers submitted between December 22 and December 24 for the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies. This scrutiny period will continue until December 30, allowing candidates to challenge RO decisions in appellate tribunals until January 3, 2024. The appellate tribunal decisions will be finalized by January 10, as outlined in the election schedule.
Sunday marked the conclusion of the extended deadline for filing nomination papers, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) released data revealing a record-breaking number of candidates in this election. A total of 28,626 candidates submitted their nomination papers, with 7,913 vying for the 266 general seats of the National Assembly and 18,546 for the 593 general seats of the four provincial assemblies.
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These figures surpass the numbers from the 2018 general elections, where a total of 21,482 nomination papers were submitted, including 5,473 for the general seats of the National Assembly. The heightened participation indicates increased political engagement and sets the stage for a vibrant and competitive electoral process.
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SM Qureshi ‘detained’ under 3-MPO despite bail in cipher case
Days after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi secured his much sought-after bail in the cipher case, the former foreign minister was detained on Tuesday after a detention order was issued instead of letting him walk free today.
The order, issued by Rawalpindi deputy commissioner under the Maintenance of Public Order (3-MPO), alleges that the PTI leader was involved in instigating violence in the May 9 riots — which saw military installations being vandalised across the country — and that his release might endanger public safety.
“It is probable that after his release from jail, he will again continue his above activities which may lead to a law and order situation, harmful to the life and property of the general public,” read the order.
The development comes as the senior politician was “likely” to be released today after a three-member Supreme Court (SC) approved his and PTI founder Imran Khan’s bail in the cipher case on December 22.
The apex court ruled that the discretion exercised by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in declining bail to the petitioners was exercised perversely.
Qureshi’s 15-day detention is to come into effect from Qureshi’s “entrance in Centra/District jail to avoid any likelihood of breach of peace/unlawful assembly in the district.”
The decision to detain the senior politician comes after Rawalpindi’s District Intelligence Committee endorsed the central CPO’s recommendation seeking the prevention of the PTI leader’s “unlawful activities and [him] acting in a prejudicial manner to public safety”.
The detention order comes as a major blow to the PTI which was looking forward to Qureshi’s release as it could’ve given a major boost to the party ahead of the upcoming elections slate for February 8, 2024 — in light of Khan’s incarceration and a host of leaders parting ways with the party.
Taking to social media, Meher Bano, Qureshi’s daughter, confirmed that her father has been detained under the 3-MPO order.
However, the PTI’s vice-chairman is not the only one to be “detained” under the 3-MPO as hundreds of such detention orders have been issued against PTI leaders and members across the country for alleged involvement in the May 9 violence — triggered after the arrest of former party chief Khan in a graft case — which saw military installations including the Ralwapindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ) and Lahore’s Corps Commander’s House being vandalised across the country.
This is not the first time Qureshi has been detained in the said issue as a first information report (FIR) — also cited by the said detention order — has been registered against Qureshi over the May 9 incident for which he has been arrested before as well.
