The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday served notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in response to the plea filed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Imran Khan is challenging his five-year disqualification in the Toshakhana case, a matter that has been a source of legal contention.
In August, the ECP disqualified Imran Khan for concealing details of gifts received during his tenure as the premier. The Islamabad trial court found him guilty of corrupt practices, citing intentional and willful hiding of benefits accrued from the national exchequer.
It’s worth noting that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had previously suspended Imran’s sentence in the Toshakhana case on August 29. However, Imran Khan, in a recent petition, asserted that the ECP unjustly de-seated him from the Mianwali’s NA-95 constituency and called for the overturning of his disqualification, claiming it to be unlawful. Imran also sought the court’s intervention to enable his participation in the upcoming general elections.
In the recent court proceedings, a bench led by Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan and including Justices Shams Mahmood Mirza, Shahid Karim, Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry, and Jawad Hassan addressed the jurisdiction of the petition before formal proceedings. Barrister Ali Zafar, representing Imran Khan, emphasized the urgency of the petition, pointing out the ECP’s scheduled date of February 8 for the general elections.
Justice Mirza raised a pertinent question regarding Imran Khan’s election from Mianwali and the jurisdiction of the Islamabad High Court in the matter. The bench directed Barrister Zafar to present arguments on this aspect during the next hearing.
Last week, the IHC had rejected Imran Khan’s attempt to withdraw his appeal against disqualification in the Toshakhana reference, prompting notices to the ECP. The court has adjourned the hearing, and Barrister Zafar expressed hope for a prompt resolution, enabling Imran Khan’s participation in the upcoming elections.
