ISLAMABAD- The petition, filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s ShakeelAwan, who lost the 2013 general election to Rasheed, claims that the NA-55lawmaker mis-declared his assets in his nomination papers and owned theerror as well.

Awan’s counsel argued before the three-member bench that according to theRepresentation of People’s Act, it is necessary to accurately declare allof one’s assets before contesting elections.

He asserted that the most recent court case regarding the wrong filling ofnomination papers is the 2017 Panama Papers judgment.

Rasheed’s counsel contended that his client did not conceal anything andaccepted that his client has owned the mistake in valuing his assets.

During the hearing, Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that according to thepetitioner, whatever the error, the lawmaker should be disqualified.

The question is whether a lawmaker stands disqualified if it is proved thathe or she committed an error while filling the nomination papers or hisassets, observed Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, who headed the bench.

Justice Isa remarked that if this is the case, the Panama case was aboutthe London flats but the prime minister was disqualified over an Iqama. Healso asked where in the Panama judgment it was declared that whatever themistake, the punishment should be disqualification.

Justice Isa observed that it has become difficult to contest elections inPakistan and to fill out the nomination papers.

The judgment was then reserved and will be announced at a later date.