ECP reserves verdict in Toshakhana case against Imran Khan
Pakistan
ECP reserves verdict in Toshakhana case against Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reserved verdict on the Toshakhana disqualification reference against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
The Toshakhana case against Imran Khan was heard in ECP on Monday, in which the PTI Chairman’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar argued that the Election Commission is not a court but a commission and no institution becomes a court unless it is supervised by the High Court.
He said it’s not possible that questions were raised regarding a years old matter, it is a political case. The opposition is also holding press conferences on it.
In this regard, Barrister Khalid Ishaq argued that only one question was asked in the Speaker’s reference, while Imran Khan’s answer submitted in the reference is not in accordance with the question. He said the PTI Chairman did not declare the gifts received from Toshakhana as assets and he has admitted that he kept the gifts from Toshakhana.
Barrister Khalid further said that the question is that Imran Khan did not reveal these gifts at the right time. Cufflinks and watches cost several millions. I have several cufflinks and watches in my wardrobe, which I have not listed under assets, he added.
On which, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) remarked that then you should also show those in your assets.
Barrister Khalid responded that one cufflink placed costs 5.67 million. In his reply, Imran Khan did not say who bought these gifts from him.
Member Babar Bharwana questioned what would be the legality of the gifts if they were not sold.
Barrister Khalid Ishaq said that if it was not sold, why was it said in the reply that the gifts were sold? He added that in the response, it was also said that no one has revealed the daily necessities.
The PML-N lawyer said that the case in the commission is against Imran Khan and not any other member of the assembly, adding that every Member of Assembly is bound to submit details of assets to the Election Commission and failure to submit returns within 120 days may result in action under corrupt practices. Imran Khan has been guilty of corrupt practices by making a miss declaration in the form. Imran Khan revealed Toshakhana gifts at FBR in 2021, he went on saying.
Furthermore, Member Sindh Nisar Durrani said that there may have been a mistake in declaring the assets, if the assets are not declared by mistake, there is no disqualification.
Barrister Khalid Ishaq said that if there is a mistake, then admit it.
The Chief Election Commissioner said that wherever there is doubt, the Election Commission also conducts scrutiny. This time, the Election Commission has further improved the reporting form.
Later, the Election Commission of Pakistan reserved its decision on the case after the arguments of Barrister Ali Zafar were completed.
