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”.
Read Toshakhana case: ECP asks SBP for Imran’s bank accounts
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”.
“The ECP is a constitutional institution,” said Qureshi noting that “free, fair, and credible elections” was the responsibility of the watchdog.
“In no way will a minus one formula be considered acceptable,” he added.
During the press conference, Qureshi also noted the successes of PTI in by-elections and cited it as evidence that attempts to disqualify Imran would be against the “will of the people”.
Strict security in place
In 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.
Tear gas shells and other necessary equipment were also delivered to the personnel earlier.
Before the announcement of the verdict, security had been deployed by the Islamabad administration whereby1,500 personnel including one SSP, five SPs and six DSPs have been appointed at the premises.
According to police officials, PTI workers will not be allowed to enter the ECP building and entry will be restricted to relevant persons only while entry into the Red Zone has also been restricted.
Besides this, DC Islamabad also visited the ECP and reviewed the security arrangements.
The electoral watchdog had sought “fool-proof security” ahead of the verdict. The election supervisor had also issued notices to all the parties to be present at its secretariat in Islamabad either personally or through their lawyers.
Earlier today, the chief election commissioner (CEC) and provincial ECP members of all four provinces reached the commission as an important meeting was called in.
The Islamabad administration, in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, briefed the meeting about the security measures in place.
However, as of now, all roads are open and no blockages were observed.
Toshakhana reference
The ECP had reserved the verdict in the case on September 19.
Toshakhana – a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division – stores precious gifts given to the head of states, MPs, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments, states and foreign dignitaries.
According to Toshakhana rules, gifts and other such material received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.
Read More Toshakhana: PM Shehbaz decides not to retain any foreign gifts
The reference had been moved by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) against the PTI chief on August 4 for not “sharing the details” of Toshakhana gifts and proceeds from their alleged sale.
Despite the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) ordering it to do so, the PTI, while in government, had been reluctant to disclose the details of the gifts presented to Imran since he took over his office in 2018.
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It claimed that it would jeopardise international relations.
The reference sought the disqualification of Imran from public office under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.
Source link: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2382771/ecp-disqualifies-imran-khan-in-toshakhana-reference