Munib Akhtar, J.: We have heard learned counsel for the petitioner as also the learned Special Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan as well as DG (Law) and the Legal Consultant.
2. For detailed reasons to be recorded later and subject to such amplification and/or explanation therein as may be deemed appropriate, this leave petition is converted into an appeal and allowed. The impugned judgment of the learned High Court as well as the orders of the fora below are set aside with the result that the nomination papers of the petitioner, now appellant, for NA-144 (Khanewal) are deemed accepted and his name is deemed included in the final list of candidates for the General Elections of 2024. This candidate shall immediately and forthwith, and it shall be the duty of the Election Commission to ensure that this is done, be allocated an election symbol.
3. The name of the candidate and his election symbol must1 appear on the ballot papers used in and for the general election to the constituency aforementioned and the said election for this constituency must be held on 08.02.2024, as scheduled.