Nomination papers of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz accepted for NA-120 by-election

LAHORE: The nomination papers of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, PML-N’s candidate for NA-120 by-election, were accepted on Thursday by a returning officer.

The returning officer also rejected reservations leveled against her nomination papers by opposition parties. 

"No time for investigating reservations, complainants can challenge the decision in the appellate tribunal," said the RO. 

Speaking to the media, PML-N leader Asif Kirmani said that the returning officer found no evidence in the reservations brought against Begum Kulsoom Nawaz. 

"These are the same reservations leveled against the Sharif family by Imran Khan and his party from 2014," Kirmani said.

Meanwhile, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz departed for London today, sources disclosed to Geo News.

Kulsoom Nawaz was originally scheduled to appear before the returning officer today – the last day for completion of scrutiny of nomination papers of the candidates for NA-120 by-election next month.

Kulsoom Nawaz left for London via PK757 flight. She will undergo a medical checkup there and will return to Lahore on September 23, sources within her family told Geo News. 

Her lawyer appeared before the NA-120 returning officer instead.

Kulsoom Nawaz’s nomination papers were challenged by Awami Tehreek’s Ishtiaq Chaudhry, who filed the objections with the returning officer claiming that though Kulsoom disclosed her Iqama [foreign work contract] in the nomination papers, she failed to disclose the salary received through the contract.

Kulsoom also failed to show her position as deputy chairperson in the Iqama, according to Chaudhry.

NA-120 Returning Officer Mohammad Shahid accepted the objections for scrutiny and will scrutinize the papers today.

Nomination papers for PTI's Yasmin Rashid approved

The nomination papers for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid have been approved, it was reported earlier today.

Speaking to media later, Yasmin Rashid said she has submitted 25 objections against nomination of Kulsoom Nawaz for NA-120 by-election.

The PTI leader alleged that Kulsoom Nawaz had hidden facts in her nomination papers and demanded that Kulsoom Nawaz's nomination papers be rejected.

The nomination papers were submitted to the returning officer between August 10-12.

The NA-120 seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister by the Supreme Court on July 28. In the 2013 General Elections, Nawaz had won the seat by a substantial margin, defeating PTI’s Yasmin Rashid – who will be contesting for the seat this time around too.