The Lahore High Court has issued notices to the federal government and others and sought their replies on an application seeking permission for PTI leader Hassaan Niazi to sign his nomination papers.
The court asked the petitioner’s lawyer if his client had been convicted. The counsel responded that Niazi’s trial was going on, and he has not been disqualified yet.
The court then asked the government lawyer under what conditions and under what law one can be disqualified.
The lawyer said interpretation of this legal point was necessary.
The court then adjourned the hearing till tomorrow while issuing notices to all the parties, including the federal government, and seeking their response.
Justice Ali Baqar Najafi was hearing an appeal from Hassaan Niazi’s mother. The federal and Punjab governments and the commanding officer have been made parties to the petition.
The application stated that the election commission has announced the election schedule and Hassaan Niazi, who is also a nephew of former prime minister Imran Khan, was neither disqualified nor convicted.
Hassaan Niazi is currently in military custody, the application stated, adding that the Lahore High Court has allowed him to complete the process of submitting nomination papers.
It then asked the court to allow the verification and signing of nomination papers.
