Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will take up a petition filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan against disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Toshakhana reference today (Monday).
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”.
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 still not been issued by the ECP, causing many to question the decision.
Despite waiting for nearly a day after the announcement of the decision, Imran Khan had approached the IHC on Saturday against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision.
Imran Khan’s counsel, Barrister Ali Zafar, had filed the petition seeking the IHC 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.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah is expected to hear the case after objections were raised by the registrar’s office.
The registrar had objected to the petition as the PTI chief Imran Khan did not undergo a biometric verification, and the ECP verdict disqualifying the former prime minister was not attached to the application.
