Toshakhana case against Imran: ECP to issue a decision today

Web Desk (LTN NEWS): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued notices to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and ex-prime minister Imran Khan and the petitioners on Thursday as it prepared to announce the judgement in the Toshakhana reference against Imran Khan on October 21.

According to the notice, they have been summoned to appear in person or through a lawyer at the scheduled hearing before the Election Commission of Pakistan on time (s). It should be noted that the Election Commission reserved its decision on the Toshakhana reference filed against Imran Khan on September 19.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, referred the Toshakhana reference for Imran’s disqualification to the Election Commission at the request of five ruling coalition members. They claimed in the connection that Imran Khan failed to disclose the cash derived from the sale of gifts acquired from Toshakhana. Imran Khan’s disqualification under Article 62-1 is sought in the reference filed under Article 63 of the Constitution (f).

During the hearing, Imran’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, argued that disqualification under 62-1(f) is only the power of the courts, and the Election Commission was not a court, according to the Supreme Court.

It should be mentioned that Imran Khan submitted his written response to the Election Commission in connection with the Toshakhana matter on September 7, detailing that 58 gifts were provided to the prime minister and his spouse between August 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021.

Flower vases, tablecloths, decorative goods, wall decorations, tiny carpets, wallets, fragrances, tasbeeh, calligraphy, frames, paperweights, and pen holders, including watches, pens, cufflinks, rings, bracelets, and lockets, were the most common gifts.

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Furthermore, the former PM stated that just 14 presents were more than Rs30,000, which he obtained through the regular payment system. Imran revealed in his response that he had sold four gifts during his stint as Prime Minister. In his response to the Election Commission, he stated that he collected around Rs58 million through the sale of gifts from the state exchequer after paying Rs21.6 million. A watch, cufflinks, an expensive pen, and a ring were among the gifts, while four Rolex watches were among the other three.

During the hearing, PML-N counsel Khalid Ishaq claimed that the question in the reference was about Imran not revealing the gifts, and now he has admitted to accepting gifts and not disclosing them in the returns. It was alleged in the reference that Imran failed to reveal the details of gifts obtained from Toshakhana in his assets, as well as the money gained from the sale of these presents.

During an informal media encounter in early April of this year, Imran reacted vehemently to the criticism regarding the gifts. He said they were his gifts, and it was up to him whether or not to keep them.