Imran Khan challenges ECP’s decision in IHC

Web Desk (LTN NEWS): Imran Khan, who is the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), went to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to disqualify him on the Toshakhana reference.

Barrister Ali Zafar filed the petition, which asked the high court to overturn the decision of the ECP. It also said that the election watchdog had no power to decide on corruption or to kick people out of the election.

The application also asked the court to stop the ECP’s decision until the IHC made its final decision.

Read the battle begins, and I will fight the verdict: Imran Khan

The former prime minister asked that his case be heard today.

Objections from the registrar

Asad Khan, an assistant registrar at the IHC, said he didn’t agree with the petition.

The office said that Imran Khan had not given the right biometrics and that an uncertified copy of the petition had been added. The assistant registrar saw that the matter was not urgent and did not need to be taken care of on the same day the application was filed.

Imran Khan disqualified

The ECP disqualified Imran Khan as PTI chairman and former prime minister under Article 63(1)(p) when it announced its decision in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference a day earlier.

The ECP’s four-person bench ruled unanimously that Imran had lied to officials about his gifts from foreign dignitaries. At the same time, he was prime minister, so they took his seat in the National Assembly.

Read PTI supporters protesting on disqualification of Imran Khan

The written ruling said that the PTI chief had “intentionally and deliberately” broken sections 137, 167, and 173 of the Elections Act 2017 because he gave the ECP a “false statement” and an “incorrect declaration” of his assets and debts for the year 2020-21.