ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez Sheikh on Saturday submitted his nomination papers for the Senate election.
The federal minister along with his fellow cabinet members, Azam Swati, Hammad Azhar and others reached the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to submit his nomination papers.
Speaking to media persons after submitting his nomination papers, Hafeez Sheikh said that improving the economy and putting the country on a strong footing is the aim of the PTI government. The minister said the government is working to live up to the expectations of the people.
He was confident that the PTI will emerge victorious in the upcoming Senate elections. “We are proud of our democratic system,” he added. It may be mentioned that Hafeez Shaikh has been picked by the PTI as a candidate for the Senate from Islamabad.
The nomination of Hafeez Shaikh is significant as a constitutional clause states that the prime minister can appoint a minister but he has to be elected as a member of the parliament within six months.
Shaikh was appointed as the PM’s adviser but a verdict of the Islamabad High Court barred advisers or SAPM from presiding over meetings of any government body. He was eventually appointed as a federal minister and must be elected to the Senate to continue as finance minister after June.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) extended the last date for filing of nomination papers for the upcoming Senate elections o facilitate the candidates.
As per the new schedule, the list of contesting candidates will be published on Tuesday, February 16. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on the 17th and 18th of this month.
The candidates can file appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers on February 20. The last date for disposing of these appeals Feb 23, while a revised list of candidates will be published on Feb 24. The candidates can withdraw their nomination papers on Feb 25. The Senate polls are scheduled to be held on March 3.
