Senate polls: ECP told to reply to Pervaiz's petition.

LAHORE -- An election tribunal on Monday sought a reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on an appeal of senior leader of PML-N Pervaiz Rashid challenging rejection of his nomination papers by the returning officer for the Senate polls.

Earlier, Rashid's counsel argued before the tribunal that the appellant had never been informed by the officials of the Punjab House in writing that he owed any amount to it in terms of rent charges. He said the RO gave the appellant one-day time for the payment of the amount, however, the officials concerned did not receive the same.

Justice Shahid Waheed, the one-member tribunal, asked the counsel whether the appellant availed the accommodation at the Punjab House during 2011 to 2018.

The counsel said it had been alleged that the appellant had been a defaulter since 2011 whereas he was elected Senator in the same year.

At this, the tribunal also sought personal appearance of a responsible official of the Punjab House along with complete record.

The tribunal will resume hearing on Tuesday (today).

The appellant had...