Islamabad: Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has asked his supporters protesting across the country against the ECP verdict disqualifying him in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference to end protests and wait for his call for the long march. “I will give you a call [for long march] and this will be the country’s largest protest movement.

This movement will not stop until the rule of law is established in the country,” he announced in a pre-recorded message. He asked the PTI supporters to disperse, saying: “You are already in a difficult phase and I don’t want you to remain in trouble.” Earlier on Friday, a four-member ECP 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 de-seated 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. The PTI leadership has announced that it will challenge the decision in court. Denying wrongdoing in the Toshakhana case, Imran said he would move court against the ECP verdict disqualifying him for submitting an “incorrect declaration” and added that no illegality would be found in the case. He accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja of being biased and part of the “mafia plotting to keep him out of the match politics”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 22 2022

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