PML-N faces double setback as LHC invalidates two NA seats

LAHORE: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) faced a double blow on Tuesday as two of its National Assembly (NA) seats were snatched away following rulings by separate benches of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Dawn news reported.

The verdicts were issued on NA seats of Gujranwala and Lodhran, where the victory notifications of PML-N lawmakers were invalidated.

G-B court dismisses plea against ex-CM in fake degree case

Another MNA from PML-N, from Nankana Sahib, saw his victory notification put on hold following a petition lodged by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported rival.

Simultaneously, incarcerated PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid lodged a challenge against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s triumph in Lahore’s NA-130 constituency before an election tribunal under the LHC.

Justice Shahid Karim, presiding over the Gujranwala seat (NA-81) case, ruled against PML-N’s Azhar Qayum Nahra, on a petition by PTI-backed independent candidate Chaudhry Bilal Ijaz. The petitioner’s legal representative argued that his client’s victory was initially affirmed by a substantial margin but was later overturned after a recount, wherein a significant number of votes were deemed invalid.

Justice Karim concurred, asserting that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disregarded legal precedents and ordered the notification of Nahra’s victory to be set aside.

In a separate ruling, the Bahawalpur bench of the LHC dethroned Abdul Rehman Kanjoo, the PML-N MNA from NA-154 Lodhran, declaring the PTI-backed Rana Faraz Noon as the rightful victor.

Nawaz Sharif’s electoral victory challenged in election tribunal

Meanwhile, in NA-133 Nankana Sahib, the victory notification of PML-N’s Rana Arshad was suspended by the LHC upon a petition filed by PTI-backed independent candidate Mohammad Atif, citing irregularities in the recount process.

Amidst these legal battles, Dr Yasmin Rashid continues her fight against Nawaz Sharif’s victory in NA-130, alleging electoral malpractice.