PML-N lawyers brace for objections as ECP to scrutinise Nawaz's nomination papers

• Nawaz to contest polls from Lahore and Mansehra constituencies.
• PTI and PPP lawyers may challenge PML-N supremo's nomination.
• Verdict on PML-N supremo's lifetime disqualification issued by SC.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will begin scrutinising the nomination papers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday, ahead of which the party's legal team is set to deal with the likely objections, The News reported.

The former prime minister has filed his nomination to contest polls from the Lahore and Mansehra constituencies, the papers for which will be scrunitised today. The party has, therefore, tasked its legal team to brace for any likely objection to the supremo's submission.

Well-placed sources told The News on Monday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawyers had worked out their strategies to challenge the nomination papers with reference to the Supreme Court’s verdict under Article 62 (1) (F) on April 12, 2018, where the court ruled that the disqualification handed down under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution was for life.

The verdict, on Nawaz's lifetime disqualification, was issued unanimously by all five judges of the bench.

Meanwhile, the sources also told this reporter that the PML-N had made up its mind to challenge the nomination papers of PTI founder Imran Khan later this week on account of the ECP’s declaration that had disqualified him from contesting the polls for five years under the relevant article of the Constitution.

Nawaz, who returned to Pakistan in October after a four-year self-imposed exile, has been leading the party's election campaign with his eyes set on a fourth term as the country's chief executive.

Since his return, the three-time prime minister has got his sentences in Avenfield and Al Azizia references quashed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

However, following his disqualification — by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers Case — Nawaz needs the lifelong ban on holding any public office to be removed if he is to qualify to contest the upcoming polls.

ECP receives over 28,000 nomination papers

The ECP received a total of 28,626 nomination papers from prospective candidates across the country aiming to contest upcoming polls slated for February 8, 2024.

The ECP is currently scrutinising the nomination papers filed by the candidates with the stage set to culminate on December 30 (Saturday).

Meanwhile, appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be submitted by January 3, and decisions on these appeals will be made by January 10.

The top electoral body will issue the list of candidates on January 11, with candidates having the option to withdraw until January 12 i.e., before the ECP allots electoral symbol on January 13.