How Imran Khan disqualification case unfolded
A snapshot of events surrounding Imran Khan disqualification case.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News)- Pakistan’s top court on Friday granted clean chit to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan in much-awaited and much-hyped disqualification case and dismissed all accusations levelled by PMLN s Hanif Abbasi. The judgment, as per experts, will shape the political landscape of the country amid incessant turbulent atmosphere.
The apex court also rejected accusations of foreign funding over paucity of evidence and stated that it was not mandatory for Imran Khan to declare his offshore company Niazi Services Limited.
The judgment was reserved by three-member bench on Nov-14 this year.
Here is a quick review of plot twists, allegations, evidence — a snapshot of the case that garnered everyone eyeballs for nearly one year.
2nd of November-2016
Hanif Abbasi filed petition, Imran Khan came under legal lens
The constitutional petition against Imran Khan was moved in Supreme Court’s by ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) through their lawmaker Hanif Abbasi on 2nd of November-2016 in reply to Panamagate. The apex court delinked the matter along with Panamagate and was later taken up for hearing in May by the incumbent CJP Nisar.
Naeem Bukhari argued on behalf of Imran Khan whereas Akram Sheikh and Azid Nafees presented arguments on behalf of Hanif Abbasi.
"Political rivals equated Rashid Khan’s statement with Qatari letter".
In his petition, Abbasi accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman of concealing offshore company, amassing foreign funding via illegal means, misleading statements in the nomination papers and taking unfair advantage of tax amnesty scheme.
Bench dissolved, case adjourned for five months
SC summoned first reply from Khan on Nov-7 and the latter submitted his first written stance in form of affidavit on Nov-23rd maintained that he bought land in Bani Gala through income earned through legal means. Later, the bench was dissolved with retirement of then Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali and case remained adjourned for five months.
My money trail simply explained and transparent. pic.twitter.com/lMKbVytUVl
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 23, 2017
It was later taken up by incumbent CJP Mian Saqib Nisar while a new three-member bench was constituted for the hearing.
On 18th of May-2017, Imran Khan submitted second affidavit stating that he took loan from ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith while statement of Imran Khan’s agent Rashid Khan was also submitted with apex court on same day. Political rivals equated Rashid Khan’s statement with Qatari letter.
22nd of July-2017, Khan confessed to half-finished money trail
Khan confessed to incomplete money trail on July-22 when court raised undeniable legal questions on the affidavit. However, Khan’s counsel nullified legal status of Imran Khan’s offshore company after sale of London flat back then in 2003.
During proceedings, court questioned legal status of transactions worth millions of British Pounds and Euros after sale of London flat and nullification of Khan’s offshore company. Upon this, Abbasi’s lawyers pointed out that Khan’s council had changed stance for third time during proceedings and requested court to disqualify Khan over submission of misleading statements both in court and nomination papers.
During concluding arguments, Bukhari took the stance that his client mistakenly did not declare offshore company in the nomination papers but the same couldn’t be termed as an intentional act.
CJP, during last session of proceedings, remarked that court would announce verdict on basis of available material and that court was trying to dig the truth.
14th of November-2017, SC reserved verdict
Finally, apex court reserved verdict after 66-hour-long hearing on Nov-14. The historic verdict was announced here in Islamabad today by three-member bench.
Meanwhile, Khan s fervent aide Jehangir Tareen has been disqualified for life.
