LHC disposes of petition against Imran Khan's disqualification in Toshakhana case
Pakistan
LHC disposes of petition against Imran Khan's disqualification in Toshakhana case
LAHORE (Dunya News) - The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday disposed of a petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) move to disqualify PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.
A three-member bench, headed by LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti and comprising Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh and Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi, announced the verdict declaring the petition filed by a citizen, Jabir Ali, through his lawyer Azhar Siddique ineffective. During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that the petition had apparently become ineffective as Imran Khan had himself challenged his disqualification. Later, the high court disposed of the petition after Advocate Azhar Siddique withdrew it.
The bench also wrapped up a petition seeking removal of Mr Khan as the PTI chairman as the electoral body has initiated proceedings in the case by issuing a notice to the former prime minster.
In October last, the top election body disqualified the PTI chief for not disclosing the gifts he obtained from the Toshakhana. In its detailed verdict, the ECP stated that Imran Khan deliberately submitted the wrong returns to the ECP, adding that the former PM did not disclose the gifts received in the returns.
"The bank’s record of gifts presented by Imran Khan does not correspond to the value of the gifts," it added. It further stated that the money received from the sale of gifts was not disclosed in 2018-19, and that Imran Khan concealed facts in the returns of the financial year 2020–21 and violated sections 137, 167, and 173 of the Election Act.
The PTI chairman’s disqualification was done under Sections 137 and 173 of the Election Act, it stated.
