Pakistan EC disqualifies independent candidate for being 'too young'

In a relief for Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the election commission on Monday disqualified an independent who defeated the veteran politician in the polls to the Punjab provincial assembly and dashed his hopes of becoming the chief minister of the politically crucial state, according to a media report.

Independent candidate Muhammad Salman defeated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Qureshi from PP-217, Multan during the July 25 polls, was disqualified as he did not meet the age requirement.

The decision came on a petition which stated that Salman was not eligible to be a lawmaker as he did not meet the age requirements, Geo News reported.

The Election Commission of Pakistan stated, "According to the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) records, Muhammad Salman was under 25 years and thus not eligible to contest the election."

The poll body also withdrew his victory notification.

Salman contested the 2018 General Election from PP-217 as an independent candidate and secured 35,294 votes dashing Qureshi's hopes of becoming Punjab chief minister, Dawn reported.

The 62-year-old PTI leader had received 31,716 votes.