MPA Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi’s eligibility challenged in LHC

LAHORE: Punjab Assembly member from Jhang PP-78, Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi’s eligibility was challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday.

LHC judge Justice Atir Mahmood heard the petition seeking disqualification of cleric Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi, who was elected to the Punjab provincial assembly after winning the PP-78 Jhang by-election late last year.

The petition, filed by Muzaffar Abbas, points out that Jhangvi, the son of assassinated Haq Nawaz Jhangvi who founded the now proscribed Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, has 17 cases registered against him.

The banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which has carried out some of the deadliest sectarian attacks in the country's history, was named after his father.

Jhangvi’s name is also on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 – a list of people with suspected ties to militant groups, the petition states.

The court has summoned reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan over the matter.