PML-N leader Pervaiz Rasheed has cited an ‘engineered attempt’ behind the rejection of his senate nomination papers by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
According to the reports, the Punjab government had released a list of people in 2018 who had not cleared their bills for staying and taking meals at the Punjab House.
Rasheed was also among those who were named in the list.
A total of six objections were raised on his nomination for a Senate seat. The commission overruled five of the objections but rejected his papers over non-payment of Rs9.5 million dues.
The objections were raised by the PTI’s MPA Zainab Omar by her lawyer Rana Mudassar to the returning officer/provincial election commissioner in Lahore.
Speaking to the media, the PML-N leader said he is willing to pay the money he doesn’t owe but nobody is receiving the same treatment. Whenever he visits the department concerned for making payment, officers disappear from their office, he added.
He also criticized the government stated that Imran Khan can’t tolerate criticism, “I criticise the government hence efforts are being made to keep me out of the parliament.”
“You can close the doors on me, but you can’t stop my voice,” he said, addressing the government. “I will appeal against the decision to reject my nomination papers.”
“I did not keep silent then and I will not be silent now,” he said. “People such as me are like a thorn in their [government’s] side,” he added.
According to the list, Pervaiz Rashid along with other PML-N leaders, government officials and their relatives owed a total amount exceeding Rs60 million.
As per the list, Rasheed owed a sum of Rs7.05 million of which Rs0.69 million was owed for his stay in 2011 from January to August and Rs6.4 million for his stay between June 2013 and May 2018. The list also mentioned the name of his daughter, Poonam Rasheed, also a Senator, who owed Rs2.7 million.
The list contained the names of former attorney general Ashtar Ausaf who had to pay Rs0.6 million, Khurram Rashid Rs2.2 million and Malik Zulfiqar who was allegedly a defaulter of Rs0.287 million.
Moazzam Ali was to pay Rs2.9 million, Mujahid Sherdil Rs1.287 million, Mustafa Ramday Rs3.952 million and Nabeel Awan Rs2.597 million, according to the list.
