Pakistan’s EC disqualifies Imran Khan for five years

Imran Khan. Pic/AP

Pakistan's Election Commission on Friday disqualified former prime minister Imran Khan for five years in the Toshakhana case for hiding proceeds from the sale of gifts he received from foreign leaders.

After the ruling, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman cannot become a member of the parliament for five years.

The ruling coalition government lawmakers had filed a case with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in August against 70-year-old Khan seeking his disqualification for failing to reveal the proceeds from the sale of gifts that he purchased at a discounted price from the state repository, also called Toshakhana.

The ECP after hearing the case had reserved its judgment on September 19 on the conclusion of the proceedings.

The four-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, on Friday unanimously ruled that Khan was involved in corrupt practices and was disqualified as a member of the parliament. The ECP also announced that action would be taken against him under the corrupt practices laws.

Asad Umar, Secretary General of Khan's party, announced that the decision would be challenged in the Islamabad High Court. Fawad Chaudhry, another PTI leader, rejected the verdict and asked Khan's followers to stage protests. Khan, who came to power in 2018, apparently received expensive gifts from rich Arab rulers during official visits, which were deposited in the Toshakhana. Later he bought them same at a discounted price as per relevant laws and sold them at hefty profits.

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