Imran Khan was removed from politics by Pakistan’s Election Commission on Friday after allegations that he deceived officials about gifts he received from foreign leaders while in office.
According to the Dawn, Imran Khan has been barred from running for office for five years under Article 63(i)(iii) for making a false statement in the Toshakhana reference case. At the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad, a four-member bench presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja announced the decision, according to the Dawn.
Legal authorities predict that Imran Khan would resign from the National Assembly following the election commission’s decision. Fawad Chaudhry, an advisor to Imran Khan, declared that the PTI would appeal the Election Commission’s decision to the Supreme Court.
Khan, who took over in 2018, is said to have accepted pricey gifts from wealthy Arab leaders during official visits, which were left in the Toshakhana. Later, in accordance with the applicable legislation, he purchased the same item at a reduced price and sold it for a profit.
More pricey items must be sent to Toshakhana, but in rare situations the recipient may be able to purchase them back at a discount of almost 50% of their worth, which Khan increased from 20% while in power. They included designer handbags, perfumes, jewellery, and expensive watches.
The Toshakhana was established in 1974 and is a division under the administrative jurisdiction of the Cabinet Division that houses priceless presents that foreign dignitaries and heads of other governments and states have given to monarchs, lawmakers, bureaucrats, and officials.
While Maryam Nawaz, vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), called for the arrest of the former Pakistani prime minister, Fawad Chaudhry expressed strong opposition to Imran’s disqualification.
“The worst attitude had been shown by the Election Commission. We never had any expectations for it. This choice is despicable. They have brought shame upon the nation of 230 million “Chaudhry of PTI stated.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), added: “He who would propagate misinformation about alleged corruption of his political opponents has been caught red-handed.”
