LAHORE – Khawaja Saad Rafique is paying the price of his second marriage ashis first wife has taken back her nomination papers for the upcomingelections.

Saad Rafique’s first wife Ghazala Saad has withdrawn her nomination papersfor NA-131 after the PML-N leader mentioned about his second wife in thenomination papers submitted to the Returning Officer

The political leaders are declaring all their personal information anddependents in their papers in order to wade through Article 62 and 63 andRafique had mentioned in papers that he had married Dr Shafaq Hira, a TVanchor associated with satte-run PTV.

The withdrawal of nomination papers by Ghazala Saad as a covering candidateis confirmed, however, it is not clear yet whether she took the step toexpress her anger against or for some other reasons.

Though Saad did not admit polygamy when rumors swirled regarding his secondmarriage in 2016 but the election scrutiny put him between a rock and ahard place, prompting him to disclose the relationship with Shafiq Hira.

Mrs Ghazala Saad Rafique, first wife of Khawaja Saad Rafique, has beenelected as Member of Punjab Assembly in general elections 2008 against oneof the seats reserved for women.

Her husband served as Member, Punjab Assembly during 1997-99, as Member,National Assembly during 2002-07 and served as Railways Minister for theprevious government. Ghazala’s brother-in-law, Khawaja Salman Rafique was amember of Punjab Assembly from PP-142 in 2013.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has concluded the inital scrutiny ofnomination papers on Tuesday following which appeals are being heard by thepolls watchdog.