The tribunal said that Ashraf did not fulfil the constitutional conditions, necessary for a candidate to contest elections. Besides, it said that he had awarded a contract to National Logistic Cell (NLC) violating the laid down rules, involved in Rental Power Projects (RPPs) scam and faced a contempt of court case for writing a letter to the Supreme Court.
Sheikh Zameer Hussain representing the returning officer told the tribunal that Ashraf had awarded a contract to NLC without following rules and regulation, besides increasing funds allocated for the project while scope of the work remained the same. Sheikh also argued that Ashraf also appointed his two sons-in-law on lucrative positions during his stint as prime minister, which is glaring examples of nepotism, favouritism and naked corruption. Farooq H Naek, the counsel for Ashraf, argued that a single-member bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) had given the judgement against his (Ashraf) client without hearing him. He said that terming Ashraf not sagacious and righteous were mere observations of the honourable judge.
Later talking to media, Naek said they would appeal in the Supreme Court against the decision. The tribunal also heard an appeal filed against appetence of Hanif Abbasi of PML-N's nomination papers and issued directives to produce the details of his reported 12 foreign trips, as he had mentioned the details of only three foreign tours.