Pakistan poll panel starts process to remove Khan as party chief

Case pertains to allegations that Khan purchased presents given by overseas dignitaries from the state depository however didn't disclose them earlier than the ballot panel.

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan (R) addresses his supporters during an anti-government march towards capital Islamabad, demanding early elections, in Gujranwala on November 1, 2022. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)
The Election Fee of Pakistan in a unanimous determination in October discovered Khan responsible of 'corrupt practices' [File: Arif Ali/AFP]

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan’s election fee has initiated a course of to take away former Prime Minister Imran Khan because the chairman of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) celebration over “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

The case pertains to allegations that Khan purchased presents given by overseas dignitaries from the state depository (known as Toshakhana in Urdu) and didn't disclose them in declarations submitted to the Election Fee of Pakistan (ECP).

Tuesday’s transfer towards Khan follows an order the ECP handed in October when it discovered Khan responsible of “corrupt practices” and disqualified him from a parliament seat he received in 2018.

A discover has been despatched to the previous prime minister and the case will probably be subsequent heard on December 13.

PTI politician Babar Awan, a lawyer who has represented Khan in varied circumstances, advised Al Jazeera the ECP is “merely a regulator of elections” and that it can't cease an individual from holding celebration workplace.

He mentioned Khan was allowed to contest seven parliamentary seats in October by-elections, which “clearly means he's additionally certified to be the celebration head”. Khan received all of the seven seats.

Supporters of Imran Khan join a protest march towards Islamabad
Khan’s supporters throughout a protest march in the direction of Islamabad, in Gujranwala, Pakistan [File: Rahat Dar/EPA]

Awan added that what occurred with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wouldn't apply to Khan.

Sharif, Khan’s political rival, was declared “dishonest” by the Supreme Courtroom in a ruling in 2018, leading to his elimination from workplace and being barred from parliamentary politics for all times. He was subsequently eliminated as the pinnacle of his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) celebration.

“The choice towards Sharif was given by the Supreme Courtroom, and never the ECP,” Awan argued, accusing the election fee of performing as a “device” of the ruling alliance as a substitute of performing its constitutional duties.

Lahore-based lawyer and constitutional professional Abuzar Salman Niazi mentioned Khan’s case differs from Sharif’s.

“If ECP concludes that Khan can't stay the celebration head, it is going to be solely until the tip of the present time period of meeting, which is anticipated to be accomplished by late subsequent yr,” Niazi mentioned.

“However since his disqualification was not relevant on the seats he received in by-elections in October, he has a robust case and good grounds to defend himself.”

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