In a major legal victory for the incumbent coalition government, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference for having submitted a false affidavit and being involved in corrupt practices under Article 63(1)(p).
Under Article 63(1)(p), a lawmaker is disqualified for the time being from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) or provincial assembly. Furthermore, the ECP ordered to register criminal cases against the PTI chairman and begin criminal proceedings against the PTI Chairman for misdeclaration.
A five-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja reserved the verdict on September 19 in the Toshakhana reference against former premier Imran Khan. Prior to the announcement of the verdict, the ECP issued notices to the parties including the former prime minister in the reference.
PTI to Challenge Verdict
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reacted strongly to the disqualification of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case and party leader, Fawad Chaudhry, announced that PTI will challenge the decision the Supreme Court (SC) as soon as they receive a copy of the verdict.
“They have shamed the 220-million-strong-nation.” he added.
Security Measures
Meanwhile, the security has been beefed up at Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) at Islamabad Red Zone with Punjab Rangers, FC, and heavy contingent of police being deployed to ensure security. The troops have been provided with tear gas, while entry of irrelevant people have been banned into the ECP.
Toshakhana Reference
In August 2022, National Assembly Speaker, Raja Pervez Ashraf, had sent a reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking for the disqualification of PTI Chairman, Imran Khan, under Articles 62A, 63A, and 223. The disqualification reference was filed by Ali Gohar Khan, PML-N’s Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, and five others.
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