Islamabad (Web Desk): Former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Toshakhana reference.
Imran Khan’s counsel, Barrister Ali Zafar, filed the petition seeking the court to annul the decision of the ECP.
In the petition, the PTI chief maintained the stance that the electoral watchdog had no power to make decisions on corrupt practices or disqualify people.
The application also implored that the court suspend the ECP’s ruling until the IHC gave its final decision on the matter.
The former prime minister pleaded that his petition be heard today.
However, IHC Assistant Registrar Asad Khan raised objections over the petition.
The registrar office maintained that Imran Khan had not provided proper biometrics, further adding that an uncertified copy had been added to the petition.
The assistant registrar observed that the matter was not urgent and did not need to be dealt with on the same day as the application was filed.
On Friday, the ECP disqualified the PTI chief 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 after he made false statement and incorrect declaration before the Election Commission.
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.
