The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday disqualified former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan for five years under Article 63(1)(p) for mis-declaration in the Toshakhana reference.
The disqualification was announced under Article 63 (1) (p) of the Constitution which states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.
A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, announced the verdict at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad.
The verdict has clearly stated that criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran for mis-declaration.
Khan’s political party, the PTI’s leadres have expressed displeasure over the verdict.
Following the verdict was announced, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, speaking to the media outside the ECP, asked the public to come out of their homes “for their rights”.
He called the ECP’s ruling a “slap on the face of 220 million people” and said, “Today is the beginning of the revolution”.
“Just anyone cannot disqualify Imran Khan. Only the public can do that,” Dawn quoted the the PTI leader as saying.
He alleged that today’s verdict was “written by Nawaz Sharif and signed by his servants.
“People disapprove of this decision,” fawad said. Alongside him, PTI leader Shahbaz Gill said the PTI would approach every forum against the verdict. “Imran has been disqualified from just one seat, not politics,” he added.
Strict security measures were in place at the ECP ahead of the ruling.
Prior to the ECP’s announcement, television footage showed PTI leaders climbing over the gate to reach the commission’s secretariat.
It’s a developing story.
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