LHC verdict on petitions against Khawaja Ahmad Hassan

LHC verdict on petitions against Khawaja Ahmad Hassan

LAHORE (APP): The Lahore High Court Monday dismissed petitions challenging eligibility of PML-N leader and Chairman UC-107, Lahore, Khawaja Ahmad Hassan.

Justice Atir Mahmood heard the petitions filed by Zubair Khan Niazi and others.

The court had reserved the verdict after hearing arguments of the parties and it was announced today in open court.

Earlier, the petitioners' counsel Sheraz Zaka pleaded that Khawaja Ahmad Hassan was not eligible to hold the office of union council chairman and to contest election for city mayor as he had resigned from his offices at different statutory bodies just one day before filing of the nomination papers for local government election.

He submitted that Kh Hassan had served as LDA vice chairman, PIC chairman, Lahore Metro Bus Authority and Orange Line Metro Train Authority chairman before going for the election.

He contended that as per Section 27 of the Punjab Local Government Act 2013, a person could not contest elections if he was in the service of government or in the service of statutory body for a period of two years.

However, Kh Hassan's counsel Malik Khalid submitted the positions previously held by his client were honourary and did not put any bar in terms of vying for election.

He said that the petition was misconceived and should be dismissed.