Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday submitted to the Islamabad High Court the verified copy of the Election Commission Pakistan’s verdict in the Toshakhana reference which has disqualified him, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
In compliance with the court order, the PTI chief on Wednesday removed the objections raised by the IHC registrar to his petition challenging the ECP verdict by providing to the court the certified copy of the ECP verdict and his biometrics duly verified by his representative Naveed Anjum through an attorney.
On Saturday, the PTI chief threw a challenge to the ECP order declaring him disqualified.
The former prime minster beseeched the court to void the ECP order which has de-seated him from the National Assembly seat NA 95.
He also pointed out the ECP’s faux paus in the written verdict saying the commission disqualified him from NA 5 while it de-notified him as member National Assembly from NA 95. He further stated that he was disqualified from NA 95 on Oct 21, while the commission corrected its mistake on Oct 24.
The Islamabad High Court heard Imran’s petition with registrar’s objections to it on Monday and ordered the petitioner to remove the objections within three days.
A four-member ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja on Friday disqualified former prime minister and PTI Chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference and declared his National Assembly seat vacant.
According to the verdict, Imran Khan committed dishonesty and the commission ordered criminal proceedings against him under Article 63(1)(p).
“We are of the considered opinion that the respondent has become disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution read with Sections 137,167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017, consequently he ceases to be a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and his seat has become vacant accordingly,” the verdict said adding that Imran deliberately concealed the Toshakhana gifts details while declaring his assets.
ECP says will be left with no other option but to indict Imran in contempt case on Nov 10
Separately, the ECP on Wednesday held haring in the contempt proceedings against PTI Chief Imran Khan and other party leaders for using un-parliamentary language against the commission.
A four-member ECP bench headed by Nisar Durrani heard the case.
The commission has issued show-cause notices to Imran and others in the case.
Imran’s lawyer Anwar Maqsood appeared before the ECP bench.
The lawyer argued that the show-cause notice was issued by the secretary, and not by the commission. He said first of all the legal point should be debated.
However, ECP member Nisar Durrani said that though the notice was issued by the secretary, but it was from the commission.
Lawyer contested that signatures of someone else were found on the notice.
On this, the member insisted that the notice was from the commission. He said that the commission would be left with no other option but to frame charges against Imran on Nov 10.
Maqsood contested that the Election Commission was not a court.
On this, the member said that the commission has the jurisdiction to send contempt notices.
The PTI lawyer requested the court to give him time till next Thursday.
After this, the bench adjourned the hearing till Nov 10. .
Reporters Ehtisham Kiyani and Usman Khan