ECP disqualifies Imran Khan in Toshakhana (gift depository) reference

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday disqualified PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference submitted against the former Prime Minister by the Speaker of the National Assembly.

In August, the ECP had received a disqualification reference against PTI chairman Imran Khan for concealing toshakhana gifts.

The reference had been submitted to the ECP by the Speaker National Assembly, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, at the request of five members of the ruling coalition, who sought the disqualification of PTI Chairman Imran Khan under articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution for the concealment of Toshakhana gifts.

Headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and comprising Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Shah Mohammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana, and Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan as its other members, a full bench of the ECP heard the reference. After more than a month of hearings, the ECP reserved its verdict on September 19.

According to a notice issued today, the ECP directed all the relevant parties or their counsels to appear before the commission at its secretariat, situated at Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, in Islamabad.

The ECP has also sent a letter to the Islamabad police requesting “foolproof security” inside and outside the watchdog’s premises for the full day in order to “avoid any untoward incident”. The letter also requested that two security personnel in civil dress and a traffic warden be provided as well.

Security has been deployed by the Islamabad administration whereby1,500 personnel including one SSP, five SPs and six DSPs have been appointed at the premises.

The reference sought the disqualification of Imran from public office under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.