SARGODHA: The process for submission of nomination papers for five national and 10 provincial assembly seats of Sargodha has started.

An interesting political situation arose as former PTI MNA Chaudhry Amir Sultan Cheema submitted papers against PML-N’s Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha for NA-83. He also filed papers for NA-85. Cheema is likely to contest as an independent.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered with Cantt police under Section 506II,148,149 of Pakistan Penal Code upon the complaint of Ghulam Muhammad who alleged that he along with others reached the Commissioner’s office to file nomination papers of Asif Hayat Ranjha before PP-74 RO when, according him, over 30 people armed with lethal weapons and sticks attacked them to teach the Ranjah family a lesson for contesting against PTI’s Shafqat Abbas Awan advocate.The complainant nominated Sahfqat Abbas Awan and two former presidents of the District Bar Association, a former secretary and a sitting secretary.

Some witnesses claimed Shafqat Abbas Awan was already present in front of the RO office when a procession led by Mohsin Ranjha along with his supporters entered the commissioner office. Seeing Shafqat Abbas Awan, they raised anti-PTI slogans which offended lawyers and supporters of PTI candidate who also raised slogans.

Members of both sides clashed physically in front of the election office of the returning officer.

Shafqat Abbas Awan claimed Ranjha’s supporters attacked lawyers. He further alleged that he remained present in front of RO office till 4.15pm but nobody received his nomination papers.

He said Ranjha and his supporters maneuvered this strategy of attack to keep him away from the contest. He alleged earlier police launched a campaign against likely candidates of PTI, either arresting them or snatching their nomination papers.

Tayyab Sherazi, former president of DBA, alleged that he along with colleagues was present before the office of NA-83 RO with Malik Shafqat Abbas Awan but neither the RO nor his staff was present in his office. He sought Election Commission’s intervention as the entire setup of returning officers in Sargodha were partisan.

Ghulam Muhammad, claimed to be a supporter of PML-N candidate for NA-83, accused a group of lawyers accompanying Malik Shafqat Abbas Awan of attacking Mr Ranjha and his supporters. He said police avoided to stop lawyers from beating PML-N workers.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2023