Imran Khan out of election race as LHC upholds nomination rejection

LAHORE: Former prime minister and PTI chief, Imran Khan is out of election race as the Lahore High Court on Wednesday turned down his appeal against the rejection of nomination papers for the February 8 general elections.

The high court upheld the decisions of the returning officer (RO) and appellate tribunal given against acceptance of the disqualified former premier’s nomination papers from NA-122 Lahore, and NA-89 Mianwali constituencies.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the plea on Wednesday.

In his plea, Khan stated that his nomination papers were rejected by the RO and appellate tribunal in contrast of the facts, therefore, he should be granted permission to contest forthcoming polls.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the LHC bench rejected the politico’s appeal and upheld the previous decisions.

The former prime minister is currently in Adiala Jail after being sentenced in the Toshakhana case. Khan is facing numerous other cases including Cipher,  May 9 riots cases and others.

Furthermore, Fawad Chaudhry’s application against rejection of nomination papers from NA-60 and NA-61 was also dismissed. The court also rejected the petition against the rejection of nomination papers of his wife, Hiba Fawad.

Earlier, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa-led three-member bench announced the verdict, dealing a huge blow to Imran Khan-led PTI’s hopes of retaining its symbol.