ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief and former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana disqualification reference.
The four-member ECP bench headed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja unanimously disqualified the PTI chief under Article 63(i)(iii). The verdict reserved earlier said that Imran Khan was found to be indulged in “corrupt practices”.
After the disqualification, Imran Khan stood disqualified as member of the National Assembly for years. According to the verdict, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran for misdeclaration.
Earlier, the ECP issued a notice in this regard and ordered all the relevant parties to appear before the ECP at its secretariat in Islamabad. Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan had reserved its verdict in the case on September 19.
It may be recalled that the reference was filed against the PTI chairman by the coalition government, for “not sharing details” of Toshakhana gifts and proceeds from their alleged sale.
Toshakhana stores precious gifts given to rulers, officials
Established in 1974, the Toshakhana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.
According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division. The reference against Imran Khan was filed by MNA Barrister Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha carrying signatures of lawmakers Agha Hassan Baloch, Salahudeen Ayubi, Ali Gohar Khan, Syed Rafiullah Agha and Saad Waseem Sheikh and it was subsequently forwarded to CEC.
