SC dismisses PTI’s petition challenging Khawaja Asif’s NA-110 victory

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenging victory of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in the NA-110 constituency.

The election tribunal had earlier decided in favour of PML-N’s Khawaja Asif, who had won in the May 2013 general elections in NA-110 Sialkot. However, PTI’s Usman Dar had challenged the decision in the Supreme Court as the PTI sought investigation into rigging allegations.

The hearing on electoral results of NA-110 was carried out by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali.

In an address on May 9, PTI chairman Imran Khan had claimed he would “knock off Khawaja Asif’s wickets”.

On June 20, Asif had requested the Supreme Court to decide his election case.

Judiciary stood with people of Sialkot: Khawaja Asif

Khawaja Asif welcomed the SC verdict. Speaking to Geo News he said that the SC had respected the wishes of people in Sialkot.

"I am thankful to Allah. Prayers of the people of Sialkot were with me," he said.

Speaking to journalists Asif's lawyer Frooque H Naik said none of the allegations could be proven through reports filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Nadra.

He said that he told the court that 'some people' are trying to pressurize the judges even though a committee is amending election laws.

PTI accepts decision

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf spokesperson Naeem-ul-Haq accepted the Supreme Court decision adding that through the NA-110 case discrepancies in the system have been pointed out. "Khawaja Asif and the authorities collaborated to hide crucial evidence," he said. 

PML-N workers celebrate

Jubliant workers of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz broke into dance and distributed sweets outside the PML-N house in Lahore.