Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for five years by today afternoon for making an incorrect declaration in the Toshakhana matter.
Article 63 (1) (p) of the Constitution states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.
Important events
- Imran Khan disqualified for five years for misdeclaration
- Decision was taken unanimously by a five-member bench
- PTI leaders ask people to come out of their homes
- Fawad Chaudhry says it’s a slap on the face of 220m people
- Shahbaz Gill says will approach “every forum” against the ruling
At the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad, a four-person bench presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja delivered the decision.
The five-member bench reached an agreement on the matter at once. The Punjabi member, however, was absent from today’s statement.
Imran will face criminal charges for making a false declaration, according to the judgement.
The coalition government filed the reference against Imran in August for “not sharing details” of Toshakhana gifts and money from their purported sale.
The reference was presented by lawmakers from the ruling coalition, the Pakistan Democratic Movement, to National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who then sent it to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja for further action.
Speaking to the media outside the ECP shortly after the decision was made, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry urged the public to leave their houses “for their rights.”
Prior to the decision on Friday, the ECP’s office was subject to strict security measures, with sizeable police, Ranger, and Frontier Corps presence.
Irfan Nawaz Memon, the Deputy Commissioner for Islamabad, also went to the office to inspect the security measures.
To read our blog on “Arrest warrant of PTI Chairman Imran Khan has been issued by IHC today,” click here.
