PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Monday dismissed a petition challenging the electoral eligibility of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The Chief Election Commissioner disposed of the petition as infructuous.

It may be reminded here Maulvi Iqbal Haider had filed an application before the Election Commission against the electoral eligibility of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Maulvi Iqbal had made other presidential candidates Justice (retd.) Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Law Minister and Federal of Pakistan the parties in his petition.

The applicant argued that the National Reconciliation Ordinance, which was in force at the time of presidential election, was later struck down by the apex court. Therefore, the nomination papers of President Zardari should be reexamined.

During hearing, the Chief Election Commissioner remarked that if there was an authentic record about President Zardari’s sentence, it should be produced to the commission.

He dismissed the petition and ruled that the applicant failed to provide the necessary documentary evidence.

The ECP in its seven-page ruling termed the petition as infructuous.