ECP disqualifies Imran Khan in Toshakhana reference
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former premier Imran Khan on Friday as it announced its verdict in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference.
A four-member bench declared Imran Khan’s National Assembly seat vacant as it unanimously decided that he had provided incorrect information in the case and disqualified him “for the time being”.
The verdict deseated Imran as per Article-63 (A) and ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings against him for submitting a false statement. However, the ECP shied away from declaring the deposed premier disqualified for life.
Meanwhile, the PTI leadership has announced that it will challenge the decision in court.
Earlier today, party leaders had directed workers to protest should the Toshakhana case decision come against Imran Khan.
Senior party leader and in-charge of the party’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa wing Pervez Khattak had shared an audio message with workers, stating that “if the decision is in favour of Imran Khan, then fine; otherwise if it is against [him] then there will be a strong protest at the district level”.
PTI rejects ‘minus one formula’
Reflecting on the constitutional role of the ECP during a press conference today, senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that “a minus one formula will not be acceptable”.
n view of the fear of the arrival of PTI workers or a possible disturbance, tight security has been deployed in the entire area, especially surrounding the ECP building and the Red Zone.
Islamabad and Rawalpindi police have been put on high alert after the decision with heavy deployment placed at the Red Zone and Faizabad Interchange.
Furthermore, in addition to the police, FC and Rangers personnel have also been deployed for security near government buildings.
