By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decision that disqualified him from holding public office over corruption charges, in the Islamabad High Court, an official from his party said.
The petition, filed by Barrister Ali Zafar, requested the court to suspend the election watchdog’s order.
“The ECP does not have the authority to disqualify any politician,” Khan pleaded, demanding the court to hold immediate hearings. The court officials, however, said the petition would be heard on Monday.
The election commission had disqualified Khan from holding public office after finding he had unlawfully sold state gifts and concealed assets as premier. The gifts included Rolex watches, a ring, and a pair of cuff links.
The court’s office raised several objections to Khan’s petition. It maintained that Khan had not provided biometrics, as well as ECP’s verdict, which was also not attached to the petition. It also objected to uncertified documents attached to the petition.
Senior Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar said the court will hear the petition on Monday.
He, however, cast suspicion on the delay in the release of the ECP’s written ruling that disqualified Khan in the Toshakhana reference.
“Why is the election commission withholding the written decision? What are they cooking up now,” Umar said on Twitter.
Former governor of Sindh Imran Ismail also accused the ECP of being a “subservient” organization to the ruling coalition and called the delay in issuing the written ruling shameful.
“Chief election commissioner is waiting for a written decision from London or Bilawal House,” Ismail tweeted.
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