GILGIT – The Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday declared Khalid Khurshid Khan, the former Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, disqualified for life to lead Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the region and to become its president.
The decision was announced by Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner that prevented Khan’s participation in the upcoming party elections.
According to the latest reports, the Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan had earlier ruled Khan ineligible over a fake degree case. A three-member bench, comprising Justice Malik Inayat Rahman, Justice Jawad Ali, and Justice Muhammad Mushtaq, issued the verdict in response to a petition filed by Ghulam Shahzad Agha, a member of the People’s Party, challenging the legitimacy of Khan’s degree.
Agha, through his lawyer Amjad Hussain, argued that the degree from the University of London submitted by Khan had not been verified, and the Higher Education Commission had declared it fake.
The initial hearing of the case was conducted by Justice Malik Inayat Rahman and Justice Jawad Ali. Considering the significance of the case, Chief Justice Ali Baig included another judge in the bench, extending the proceedings. On May 29, Chief Justice Ali Baig formed a larger bench, instructing them to conduct daily hearings and conclude the case within 14 days.
The Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan granted a deadline until June 13 for the submission of responses by Khan, PTI, and the Election Commission. Notices were issued to the Higher Education Commission, Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council, and the Election Commission, directing them to submit their responses.
In response to this matter, the Election Commission issued notices to the Higher Education Commission, Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council, and the Election Commission. The Higher Education Commission informed the court that it took the degree back from Khan after it was declared fake.
