Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision of election disqualification for five years in the Toshakhana case at the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The ECP disqualified Imran on August 8, citing his conviction for hiding details of gifts received during his tenure.
Imran Khan faced disqualification under the provisions of Article 63(1h) of the Constitution, as well as Section 232 of the Elections Act of 2017. According to the ECP statement, Imran proved guilty of “corrupt practices” by submitting false and erroneous information about Toshakhana presents.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and Ali Zafar submitted the plea on Imran’s behalf, questioning the constitutionality of the ECP’s notification. It requests that the LHC rule on the disqualification as “unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional.”
Petition Requests:
The petition requests the LHC to declare the ECP’s notification invalid. It urged the LHC to suspend the notification’s execution until the case concludes. It also request to grant the petitioner any other relief deemed equitable and appropriate.
The petition underlines Imran’s fundamental right to compete in elections, saying that the ECP’s notification violates this right. It claims that Imran’s charges involve no theft of public funds or moral turpitude.
With the general election planned for February 8, Imran Khan’s appeal is a significant step to contest the disqualification and claim his right to participate in the election. This follows on the back of Imran Khan’s previous disqualification in the Toshakhana case, adding to the legal complications surrounding his eligibility as a candidate for election.
However, Imran Khan’s political destiny and participation in the upcoming general elections is going to determined by the Lahore High Court’s response to this appeal.
