Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday disqualified former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for five years in Toshakhana reference.
A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, announced the verdict reserved on September 19.
As per the verdict, Imran Khan has been disqualified under Article 63 (1) (P) of the Constitution of Pakistan and sections 137 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017.
It added that Imran Khan deliberately violated sections 137, 167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017 by making false statement and incorrect declaration before the Election Commission.
The verdict further said that by doing so, the PTI Chairman also committed corrupt practices under sections 167 and 173 of Elections Act, 2017.
Accordingly, the PTI chief ceases to be member of the National Assembly and legal proceedings will be initiated against him under section 190 (2) of Elections Act 2017.
The verdict stated that Imran submitted a false affidavit and found involved in corrupt practices, adding that criminal proceedings will be initiated against the former premier for false declaration.
On Thursday, the electoral watchdog had ordered all the parties concerned or their counsels to appear before the commission at its secretariat in Islamabad.
The coalition government had filed a reference seeking former premier Imran’s disqualification from public office under articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution for “not sharing details” of Toshakhana gifts and proceeds from their alleged sale.
They submitted the reference to the National Assembly speaker who subsequently forwarded it to the CEC for action.
