Islamabad: Former Prime Minster Imran Khan on Saturday moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The ECP on Friday disqualified PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p) for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.
A full bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and comprising Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Mohammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana, and Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan as its other members, heard the reference. However, at the time of the announcement of the verdict, the member from Punjab was not present.
The verdict by the ECP found Imran Khan involved in corrupt practices and ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings against the former PM for misdeclaration. However, the detailed judgment has not yet been issued by the ECP, causing many to question the decision.
However, after waiting for nearly a day after the announcement of the disqualification, Imran Khan approached the IHC against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision.
Imran Khan’s counsel, Barrister Ali Zafar, filed the petition seeking the court to annul the decision of the ECP.
The two-page petition of Imran Khan asked the IHC to declare, find and hold that the ECP order is against the settled principles of law on Article 63 of the Constitution, misconceived and set it aside. It mentioned the question of “any disqualification” can only arise after a trial and in case a person is found guilty of corrupt practices by the Tribunal.
It said that even if a person is found guilty of corrupt practice through a proper trial by a Tribunal, then the disqualification is not automatic but only if it is found to be also deliberate, intentional, or for an ulterior motive.
