Lahore: Lahore High Court (LHC) accepted for hearing a petition calling for PTI Chairman Imran Khan to be removed as party Chief after his disqualification in Toshakhana reference. Justice Muhammad Sajid Mehmood Sethi will preside over hearing today. Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disqualified Imran in reference on October 21 under Article 63(1)(p). Subsequently on October 24, ECP had de-notified him as MNA from NA-95 with “immediate effect”.

Petition submitted by Advocate Muhammad Afaq mentioned Imran, ECP, federation and government of Pakistan and others as respondents. It argued that according to Representation of People Act 1976 and Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002 it was a legal and constitutional requirement for party officeholders to be qualified in accordance with Articles 62 and 63 of Constitution. Petition said that after Imran’s disqualification from NA-95 constituency it was “just” for him to be denotified as PTI Chairman and an order should be issued to this effect. It added that Imran did not have right to continue holding party chief office as it was a violation of PPO. Petition also demanded that ECP Chairman should give orders for a new PTI chairman to be appointed.

In October, ECP had disqualified Imran in Toshakhana Reference, ruling that former premier had made “false statements and incorrect declarations” regarding gifts he had received. A reference alleging that Imran had not shared details of gifts he retained from Toshaskhana and proceeds from their reported sales was filed by lawmakers from ruling coalition in August and ECP concluded last month that former premier had indeed made “false statement and incorrect declarations” regarding gifts a ruling that prompted widespread protests by PTI. Watchdog’s order said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of Constitution.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 03 2022

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