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ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday to explain why he still holds the PTI leadership after his disqualification in the Toshakhana case on January 11.
Mr. Khan has been summoned to appear before the commission on January 11, either in person or through his lawyer, to provide an explanation.
The notification was sent to the PTI chairman by the district election commissioner of Islamabad, Waqas Ahmad Malik, and the matter has been scheduled for hearing before the commission on January 11 at 10 a.m.
The notice explains that on December 20, 2022, the Election Commission held a hearing and issued an order saying that “after hearing the applicant, we have observed that the respondent Mr. Imran Khan Niazi is holding the position as chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, despite having been disqualified/de-seated from NA-95, Mianwali-I, in the order passed on October 21, 2022, by the Election Commission on account of making false statements and incorrect declaration about his assets.
The panel has also noted that he is ineligible to serve as the head of the PTI political party in accordance with the august Supreme Court of Pakistan‘s ruling, which was published as PLD 2017 SC692. Be notified that the responder must defend his position by 11/1/2023,” it states.
In light of the electoral watchdog’s ruling in the Toshakhana case, which disqualified him under Article 63(1)(p) for making “false statements and erroneous declarations,” the ECP had started the process to remove Mr. Khan as chairman of the PTI last month.
The PTI said that the law did not prohibit a felon from holding a position in a political party in response to the development.
