No bar on Imran from contesting election: IHC chief justice

[IAJ]

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p), ARY News reported.

The ECP stated that Imran Khan submitted a false affidavit and was found involved in corrupt practices and ordered to register criminal cases against the PTI chairman.

The ECP’s verdict further said that some of the gifts retained from Toshakhana were concealed in his assets.

Imran Khan has been de-seated as a member National Assembly.

A five-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja reserved the verdict on September 19 in the Toshakhana reference against former premier Imran Khan.

Prior to the announcement of the verdict, the ECP issued notices to the parties including the former prime minister in the reference.

PTI announces to challenge the verdict

Reacting strongly to Imran Khan’s disqualification in Toshakhana case, PTI leader and the former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry slammed the ECP.

He said the PTI will challenge the decision in the Supreme Court as soon they receive a copy of the verdict.

Fawad Chaudry said the Election Commission’s attitude had been the worst. “We never pinned any hopes on it.”

“This is a shameful decision. They have shamed the 220-million-strong-nation.”

Security measures

The security of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been beefed up in Islamabad’s Red Zone.

Punjab Rangers, FC and a heavy contingent of police have been deployed to ensure the security of the ECP to deal with any situation.

The troops have been provided with shells of tear gas, while the entry of irrelevant people into the Election Commission of Pakistan has been banned.

During the last hearing of the case, Barrister Ali Zafar in his arguments before the ECP said the disqualification under Article 62-1-F is the prerogative of the courts not the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Has any court proved that Khan is not Sadiq and Ameen?, Barrister Ali Zafar asked. Imran Khan’s lawyer said the ECP is not a court but a commission and the disqualification case under Article 62-1-F of the constitution cannot be heard by the ECP.

The ECP after hearing the arguments of the PTI lawyer, reserved the judgment in Toshakhana case against Imran Khan.

Reference
In August 2022, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf sent a reference to the ECP under Articles 62A, 63A, and 223, seeking former prime minister Imran Khan’s disqualification in the light of the Toshakhana scam.

The disqualification reference was filed by Ali Gohar Khan, PML-N’s Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, and five others.

The 28-page reference identified 52 gift items of Toshakhana received by the former prime minister Khan, violating the law and rules, taken away at nominal prices and most of the gifts were sold in the market, including some precious watches.

https://arynews.tv/imran-khan-disqualified-toshanakhana-reference-ecp/

 

[saeedhk]

This is great injustice! We cannot expect any fair play from this bunch of crooks!

 

[MenInG]

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former premier Imran Khan on Friday as it announced its verdict in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference.

A four-member bench declared Imran Khan’s National Assembly seat vacant as it unanimously decided that he had provided incorrect information in the case and disqualified him “for the time being”.

The verdict deseated Imran as per Article-63 (A) and ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings against him for submitting a false statement. However, the ECP shied away from declaring the deposed premier disqualified for life.

Meanwhile, the PTI leadership has announced that it will challenge the decision in court.

Earlier today, party leaders had directed workers to protest should the Toshakhana case decision come against Imran Khan.

Senior party leader and in-charge of the party's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa wing Pervez Khattak had shared an audio message with workers, stating that "if the decision is in favour of Imran Khan, then fine; otherwise if it is against [him] then there will be a strong protest at the district level".

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2382771/ecp-disqualifies-imran-khan-in-toshakhana-reference

 

[saeedhk]

I just heard Imran Khan can contest election tomorrow if he wills because he has been suspended from his current NA seat, not from holding public office.

 

[Rana]

Hopefully no violent reactions.

 

[MenInG]

Yep, all very nuanced this decision but guess symbolic to tell him who's in control.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

I just heard Imran Khan can contest election tomorrow if he wills because he has been suspended from his current NA seat, not from holding public office.

They might as well do this once and for all.

 

[Hextro]

PDM is done for. This is just a pathetic ditch effort to try to stay relevant at a time when people want to get rid of these people, permanently.

This only strengthens the 1 against all narrative PTI is pushing.

 

[Extra_Cover]

Justice system has taken the biggest hit in the last 6 months in the country. Shameful. Our criminal justice, political cases, money laundering cases and registering fake cases ala terrorism case on IK has been nothing but an international joke.

I can see our judicial or justice ranking across the world is going to take a massive hit because of these last 6 months. Its very difficult to recoup this lost image of judiciary now.

 

[saeedhk]

I just heard Imran Khan can contest election tomorrow if he wills because he has been suspended from his current NA seat, not from holding public office.

 

[Sher Khan]

News articles are reporting that, Imran has sold 4 foreign gifts he received. Most of these have been sold in Dubai. No way a head of state should be selling state owned gifts.

These gifts were given to him as the Prime Minister of our country. They are not his personal property.

 

[Hextro]

Justice system has taken the biggest hit in the last 6 months in the country. Shameful. Our criminal justice, political cases, money laundering cases and registering fake cases ala terrorism case on IK has been nothing but an international joke.

I can see our judicial or justice ranking across the world is going to take a massive hit because of these last 6 months. Its very difficult to recoup this lost image of judiciary now.

Our Justice system has always been a joke. Why do you think the likes of Nawaz and Zardari have walked around on the streets in Pakistan without facing justice for decades? People are only noticing how corrupt our Justice system is now because of social media.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Our Justice system has always been a joke. Why do you think the likes of Nawaz and Zardari have walked around on the streets in Pakistan without facing justice for decades? People are only noticing how corrupt our Justice system is now because of social media.

Correction: The entire country has always been a joke.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Just a quick question. Is Shahrukh Jatoi constitutionally eligible to run for a public office? Just need a simple yes or no answer.

 

[Ozeirk]

Imran Niazi Chor!

He has been declared chor officially by the same court that did the same with Nawaz, so pti fans should not cry now.

Anyways, this chors arms need to be chopped off like they do in Saudi Arabia

What did he steal? Thoshana Khana gifts were sold according to the law.

Nawaz Sharif's judgement came from the supreme court not the election commission. They are not the same courts.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Not a fan of politics or PTI. But most of the problems in our country root from the incompetent justice system.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Tbh what Imran did was wrong. He found a loophole and exploited it.

Now he should not be disqualified nor classified as a chor but in a system with proper checks, balances and scrutiny he should have been made to apologise.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

What did he steal? Thoshana Khana gifts were sold according to the law.

Nawaz Sharif's judgement came from the supreme court not the election commission. They are not the same courts.

Toshakhan gifts have to be bought from treasury and then sold.

Imran first sold them and then when he recieved the money, refunded the treasury.

It is not a major crime but it's unethical.

Now before people jump on me with the whataboutery, im actually a supporter of Imran.

The sentence is politically motivated and unjust....but we can also call him out for trying to find a loophole.

 

[Major]

Toshakhan gifts have to be bought from treasury and then sold.

Imran first sold them and then when he recieved the money, refunded the treasury.

It is not a major crime but it's unethical.

Now before people jump on me with the whataboutery, im actually a supporter of Imran.

The sentence is politically motivated and unjust....but we can also call him out for trying to find a loophole.

on top of that he dint refund the full amount. He built a road that lead up to his house. In the same Bani Gala, other roads were not built properly, why? Because even though Imran lives there he doesnt use the other roads so he didnt bother to repair them..

Anyways, Nawaz was declared chor for not declaring a salary, same way Imran Niazi is also a chor

 

[Mamoon]

Fake messiah exposed.

The most dishonest person and the biggest liar in Pakistan’s political history. A conman through and through.

This is a historic decision but it is just the beginning of the end. He will be finished off once the foreign funding case reaches its conclusion.

It is game over for Imran and his drama. He has lost in humiliation fashion.

 

[Extra_Cover]

This is another basket decision similar to Punjab Assembly decision and NA assembly dissolution decision. This decision will be reversed as soon as petition is taken up in IHC. Funny thing here is that we might see courts opening in midnights again to refute this basket decision.

One massive miscalculation here is that it will give more firepower to Imran Khan's narrative as this clearly exposes ECP as a biased organisation which IK has been saying for past 6 months and not its as clear as day.

 

[Major]

This is another basket decision similar to Punjab Assembly decision and NA assembly dissolution decision. This decision will be reversed as soon as petition is taken up in IHC. Funny thing here is that we might see courts opening in midnights again to refute this basket decision.

One massive miscalculation here is that it will give more firepower to Imran Khan's narrative as this clearly exposes ECP as a biased organisation which IK has been saying for past 6 months and not its as clear as day.

yes yes, ever since Imran was slapped and thrown out of PM secretariat during the VONC, we heard the same thing that now Imran will do this or that, Imran is gonna come hard, this is good, elections are coming blablabla.

We are now about to enter November, no sight of general elections, govt will complete its schdule and Imran has been declared chor.

but dont worry, keep finding silver linings in everything. Just like how we cricket fans find silver linings from every icc tournament we lose, hoping that next time we will come stronger, only for us to lose next tournament.

 

[Extra_Cover]

yes yes, ever since Imran was slapped and thrown out of PM secretariat during the VONC, we heard the same thing that now Imran will do this or that, Imran is gonna come hard, this is good, elections are coming blablabla.

We are now about to enter November, no sight of general elections, govt will complete its schdule and Imran has been declared chor.

but dont worry, keep finding silver linings in everything. Just like how we cricket fans find silver linings from every icc tournament we lose, hoping that next time we will come stronger, only for us to lose next tournament.

This is funny not sure why I'm triggering you but nevermind let me re-explain.

In my post I'm clearing saying this decision is a basket decision like the one taken by IK for dissolution of NA and like the one taken by Punjab Assembly speaker to ignore votes of PMLQ. Forget me every law expert is saying the same thing here so keeping personal bias aside look at this from purely technical aspect and you'll realise that this is a basket decision.

As far as IK is concerned I highly doubt he will get early elections through long march or any other method. Time will tell though.

 

[saeedhk]

Former AGP says decision lacks solid basis, will be overturned.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

No more rubbish on this thread

If you cant see your post on this thread - understand that we dont need it so dont post it again

 

[Cricket-lion]

The hypocrisy is real.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's election commission has disqualified ex-PM Imran Khan from holding public office in a case the former cricketer has previously described as politically motived.

Mr Khan had been accused of incorrectly declaring details of presents from foreign dignitaries and proceeds from their alleged sale.

The gifts included Rolex watches, a ring and a pair of cuff links.

His lawyers say they will challenge the commission's verdict in the high court.

According to Pakistan's Dawn newspaper, the written ruling says Mr Khan "made false statement [sic] and incorrect declaration before the commission in the statement of assets and liabilities filed by him for the year 2020-21" and so attracted disqualification.

As a result of the disqualification, he "ceases to be a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and his seat has become vacant accordingly", the ruling adds.

Legal experts cited by Dawn interpret this as Mr Khan being disqualified till the end of the current National Assembly term, which started in 2018.

The unanimous decision by a five-member panel of the election commission is a huge setback for the former premier, says the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan. Imran Khan remains hugely popular.

Mr Khan admitted last month to having sold at least four gifts he had received during his tenure as prime minister, and that they had been included in his income tax returns.

Government officials must declare all gifts, but are allowed to keep those below a certain value. In some cases, the recipient can buy them back at around 50%, AFP news agency reports.

Mr Khan - who has denied the charges against him - previously said he had not made public some gifts on national security grounds, but in a written submission admitted buying items worth nearly $100,000 (£90,000), and later selling them for more than twice that amount, AFP says.

Faisal Chaudhry, a lawyer in Mr Khan's team, has told Reuters news agency the election commission tribunal has no jurisdiction in the matter and that the decision will be challenged.

Mr Khan was ousted from power after he lost a no-confidence vote in April this year.

Security had been stepped up in the capital, Islamabad, ahead of the commission's ruling.

After the ruling, Khan's party spokesman Fawad Chaudhry called for supporters to come out on the streets to "topple this parliament".

A lot of protests have broken out across the country, reports BBC Urdu's Saher Baloch in Islamabad, who says Mr Khan's supporters have come out in Peshawar and Lahore as well as in Islamabad.

There is a sense of shock, she says, but Mr Khan's PTI party has said it was expecting that kind of a decision.

Videos on social media showed police firing tear gas to disperse Mr Khan's supporters holding a protest outside the capital Islamabad.

Since being ousted from power in April, Mr Khan has been a vocal critic of the government and the country's army.

The former leader has toured the country to deliver a series of fiery speeches calling for fresh elections.

The charismatic politician was elected prime minister in 2018, but fell out with Pakistan's powerful army towards the end of his tenure. After a series of defections, he lost his majority in parliament.

BBC

 

[saeedhk]

He has not been disqualified from holding public office.

 

[JaDed]

Pakistan and England trying to outdo each in other stupidity, Legacy of British I must say this silly Parliamentary form of democracy.

 

[Pakpak]

Pakistan and England trying to outdo each in other stupidity, Legacy of British I must say this silly Parliamentary form of democracy.

More like our system is corrupt. India has the same system without these dictator morons who use and abuse it (even though Modi is pushing every boundary)

 

[Kriketer]

Just another attempt from the band of chuurs and corrupt leeches. Every chuur gangster had to unite to take on him and they still can't convince the nation. Country has taken a sharp dip under these chuurs and you wouldn't hear a word about it from the usual anti-Imran brigade on their beloved chuurs performance.

All these attempts will end up in the garbage bin just like PDM's destiny. They have tried so many things and Imran is still going strong.

 

[srh]

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p), ARY News reported.

The ECP stated that Imran Khan submitted a false affidavit and was found involved in corrupt practices and ordered to register criminal cases against the PTI chairman.

The ECP’s verdict further said that some of the gifts retained from Toshakhana were concealed in his assets.

Imran Khan has been de-seated as a member National Assembly.

A five-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja reserved the verdict on September 19 in the Toshakhana reference against former premier Imran Khan.

Prior to the announcement of the verdict, the ECP issued notices to the parties including the former prime minister in the reference.

PTI announces to challenge the verdict

Reacting strongly to Imran Khan’s disqualification in Toshakhana case, PTI leader and the former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry slammed the ECP.

He said the PTI will challenge the decision in the Supreme Court as soon they receive a copy of the verdict.

Fawad Chaudry said the Election Commission’s attitude had been the worst. “We never pinned any hopes on it.”

“This is a shameful decision. They have shamed the 220-million-strong-nation.”

Security measures

The security of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been beefed up in Islamabad’s Red Zone.

Punjab Rangers, FC and a heavy contingent of police have been deployed to ensure the security of the ECP to deal with any situation.

The troops have been provided with shells of tear gas, while the entry of irrelevant people into the Election Commission of Pakistan has been banned.

During the last hearing of the case, Barrister Ali Zafar in his arguments before the ECP said the disqualification under Article 62-1-F is the prerogative of the courts not the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Has any court proved that Khan is not Sadiq and Ameen?, Barrister Ali Zafar asked. Imran Khan’s lawyer said the ECP is not a court but a commission and the disqualification case under Article 62-1-F of the constitution cannot be heard by the ECP.

The ECP after hearing the arguments of the PTI lawyer, reserved the judgment in Toshakhana case against Imran Khan.

Reference
In August 2022, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf sent a reference to the ECP under Articles 62A, 63A, and 223, seeking former prime minister Imran Khan’s disqualification in the light of the Toshakhana scam.

The disqualification reference was filed by Ali Gohar Khan, PML-N’s Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, and five others.

The 28-page reference identified 52 gift items of Toshakhana received by the former prime minister Khan, violating the law and rules, taken away at nominal prices and most of the gifts were sold in the market, including some precious watches.

https://arynews.tv/imran-khan-disqualified-toshanakhana-reference-ecp/

If we look at this case alone without any bias then we will see that Imran Khan did lie multiple times so the verdict makes sense.

But the issue is that others like Sharif family and Zardari have committed lot worst crimes and yet they get scot-free and in fact are in government This 2-way justice is what the problem is,

 

[MenInG]

He has not been disqualified from holding public office.

Not sure why BBC thinks so? Strange reporting.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) MNA Saleh Muhammad Khan and his guard were arrested in Islamabad on Friday after the guard reportedly fired a shot outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Tense scenes were seen outside the ECP building after the electoral watchdog disqualified PTI chairman and former premier Imran Khan as it announced its verdict in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference.

As soon as the verdict was announced, PTI supporters and party workers began protesting the decision and workers present outside the ECP office shouted slogans in support of Imran Khan.

The Islamabad police reportedly detained firearms from a Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) policeman who was later reported to be the guard of PTI MNA Saleh. As the weapon was being recovered a shot was fired.

The capital police claims the shot was fired by the K-P policeman and has arrested him.

The police later also arrested MNA Saleh. Reports of the police physically assaulting the arrested PTI workers have also surfaced.

PTI protests

Meanwhile, K-P Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra in a press conference denounced the ECP verdict and said that the party will challenge the decision in court.

"The ECP has no right to disqualify Imran Khan," said Jhagra, adding that "we will go to court against this verdict and the court will reinstate Imran Khan with utmost dignity".

He then went on to appeal to all workers in Peshawar to protest, stating that he would "personally lead the protest against the decision in Hayatabad Phase 3 Chowk".

The PTI also announced its decision to close off the Peshawar motorway (M1) in protest which was later opened for traffic under the directives of senior leadership, while others protested on Cinema Road and blocked the road leading to Lady Reading Hospital.

Special Assistant for Information Barrister Saif on the occasion deemed the verdict a case of "doctrine of necessity in action".

"The verdict is indicative of the results of the recent by-elections," said Barrister Saif. "The imported government has realized that it is impossible to defeat Imran Khan so instead of contesting the election field, they have disqualified Imran Khan," he added.

"The entire country has come out to the streets to protest the decision," he said, "no sane person accepts the verdict."

Besides Islamabad and Peshawar, PTI supporters also gathered in Lahore to protest the ECP verdict.

Earlier today, party leaders had directed workers to protest should the Toshakhana case decision come against Imran Khan.

Senior party leader and in-charge of the party's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa wing Pervez Khattak had shared an audio message with workers, stating that "if the decision is in favour of Imran Khan, then fine; otherwise if it is against [him] then there will be a strong protest at the district level".

Reflecting on the constitutional role of the ECP during a press conference today, senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that "a minus one formula will not be acceptable".

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s “important video message” will be released tonight after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified him in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet said on Friday that “Imran Khan will give a message to the nation tonight. His message will be released to the media at 8.30[pm].”
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The former ruling party also posted the announcement on its official Twitter handle.

A four-member ECP bench declared Imran Khan’s National Assembly seat vacant as it unanimously decided that he had provided incorrect information in the case and disqualified him “for the time being”.

The verdict de-seated Imran as per Article-63 (A) and ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings against him for submitting a false statement. However, the ECP shied away from declaring the deposed premier disqualified for life.

The PTI leadership has announced that it will challenge the decision in court.

Soon after the verdict, the PTI supporters and leaders took to the streets to protest against the ruling in major cities across the country.

The PTI chief has directed his supporters to stage peaceful protests across the country and not to resort to violence.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Hopefully no violent reactions.

Genie out of the bottle now.

The ruling thieves will have to face up to the wrath of the masses.

 

[MenInG]

Following the announcement by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference on Friday, workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are protesting in different parts of the country.

A four-member bench declared Imran Khan’s National Assembly seat vacant as it unanimously decided that he had provided incorrect information in the case and disqualified him “for the time being”.

Meanwhile, the PTI leadership has announced that it will challenge the decision in court.

“We had no hope of anything good from [them]. The ECP did exactly what we expected of them,” former information minister and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said.

He furthered that cases of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari were not being heard in the ECP, adding that the electoral watchdog’s target is Imran Khan.

“Can they disqualify 22 crore people of Pakistan by disqualifying Imran Khan? The decision to disqualify 22 crore people of Pakistan is shameful,” he said.

The former information minister also urged people to come out for their rights and protest.

Soon after the call, PTI workers took to the streets, blocking the roads in many cities, according to Express News.

The reports regarding the closure of highways and major roads in various cities created a state of fear and uncertainty among the people. The government has alerted the police and other security agencies across the country.

Tense scenes were seen outside the ECP's provincial office in Karachi as PTI workers staged protests against the verdict under the leadership of PTI's Ali Zaidi.

Soon after the party's call for protest, PTI Peshawar decided to block the road and directed the party workers to reach Toll Plaza. According to sources, PTI workers have blocked the road between Faizabad and Zero Point. They also blocked the road leading up to the Lady Reading Hospital.

In Lahore, the PTI workers protest at Kalma Chowk and Chungi Amar Sindhu. The workers also blocked the metro bus and chanted slogans against the ECP.

According to Express News, PTI workers also reached Faizabad in Rawalpindi and blocked the road by burning tyres. To disperse the demonstrators, police used tear gas shelling but the protesters retaliated by throwing stones at the law enforcers. The demonstrators also thrashed a policeman of Islamabad Police.

The PTI workers also protest at Nantalar Road in Rawalpindi which suspended the flow of traffic. Later, the police cleared the road which resumed the traffic.

In Rahim Yar Khan, the party workers took to the street and chanted slogans against the government and ECP.

In Gujranwala, PTI staged a protest at Chanda Qila Chowk in which a large number of party workers participated. The city's administration later called the police to disperse the protesters.

In Ferozpur, people blocked the main road of the city by burning tyres which caused gridlocks in many areas of the city. The protesters chanted slogans against the ECP's verdict.

In Gujar Khan, the workers blocked the GT Road and protested against the decision. In Chakwal, PTI workers raised slogans in favour of Imran Khan and staged protests at Bhawan Chowk.

A large number of people including women participated in the protest. The traffic got suspended as a result of the protests.

In Quetta, PTI supporters staged a protest demonstration outside Quetta Press Club. They also blocked the main highway linking Quetta with Islamabad in Kuchlak and Muslim Bagh.

Former deputy speaker National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri and other leaders led the protest. The PTI workers chanted slogans against the ECP and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

Noor Khan Khilji, Abdul Bari Bareech, Muhammad Asif Tareen and other leaders were also present on the occasion.

"PTI will resist this decision," Qasim Suri told the flags-waving supporters. He said the party would intensify its protest against what he called the "imported government" across the country.

The PTI workers took out a protest rally from its office in the Shehbaz Town area of Quetta and they gathered outside the press club.

The party workers also blocked the main highway linking Quetta with Islamabad in Muslim Bagh and Kuchlak against the disqualification of the former premier of the country.

Long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road were witnessed as a result of the protest by the PTI supporters. People suffered difficulties because of the blockade of the road by PTI workers.

The party leaders lashed out at the ECP and the present government for what they claimed their decision was based on hatred and injustice. "This government has ruined all institutions in the country," Qasim Suri stated.

The administration had taken strict security measures on the eve of the protest demonstration by the PTI supporters to avert any untoward incident. Baton-wielding policemen were deployed outside the press club to maintain order.

Subsequently, the PTI workers peacefully dispersed after recording their protest.

Earlier, the Islamabad police reportedly detained firearms from a Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) policeman who was later reported to be the guard of PTI MNA Saleh. As the weapon was being recovered a shot was fired.

The capital police claimed the shot was fired by the K-P policeman and arrested him.

The police later also arrested MNA Saleh. Reports of the police physically assaulting the arrested PTI workers have also surfaced.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

As protests break out in different parts of the country following the announcement of the disqualification verdict against former prime minister Imran Khan, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against creating a law and order situation in the country.

"The one who used to call everyone thief has been proven a thief himself. His false propaganda has been exposed," he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

Rana urged the law enforcement agencies in Punjab not to obey a "thief" and to stand with the state. "I have never seen such a dull response [after the verdict]... In Punjab, there are not more than 40 to 50 people at one place [to protest]," he added.

He warned the "gang of agitators" not to create a law and order situation in the country. "The decision is on merit and it will stay as you have been caught red-handed," he further said.

 

[Bewal Express]

Bajwa has done more damage in these 6 months than all the dictators managed over the decades. This cretin will go to hell and he will be joined by boot lickers. The damage done can never be undone. All the hope and aspirations dashed forever, we are doomed to mediocrity and I, for one has given up all hope. Whether IK wins the election or not is irrelevant,the damage is so deep that can't be undone. A truly depressing day but its been like this for the last 8 months.

 

[Savak]

Only in Pakistan

Nawaz Sharif can be acquitted
Maryam Nawaz can be acquitted
Asif Zardari can be acquitted
Shahbaz Sharif can be acquitted
Hamaza Shahbaz can be acquitted
Shahrukh Jatoi can be acquitted

But Imran Khan is guilty.

 

[Mamoon]

Bajwa has done more damage in these 6 months than all the dictators managed over the decades. This cretin will go to hell and he will be joined by boot lickers. The damage done can never be undone. All the hope and aspirations dashed forever, we are doomed to mediocrity and I, for one has given up all hope. Whether IK wins the election or not is irrelevant,the damage is so deep that can't be undone. A truly depressing day but its been like this for the last 8 months.

Remind me who was doing fireworks when he was given the extension. )

 

[Bewal Express]

Remind me who was doing fireworks when he was given the extension. )

We believed he was a good man, but alas it has proved that he was the mafias own. Let him enjoy his millions and let the mafia enjoy their victory. On a personal level it makes no difference to me as I am comfortable and the only thing we prayed for was a PK that was prosperous . Alas it wasnt to be and the destruction done cant be undone by anyone, whether its IK,the Generals or their boot licking family businessez. Enjoy your victory. you have won

 

[Waleed93]

This will further push Imran and PTI's narrative of being the one honest man against a whole group of proven corrupt jokers, at a time when Imran's popularity is peaking.

PDM have once again shot themselves in the foot.

 

[JaDed]

More like our system is corrupt. India has the same system without these dictator morons who use and abuse it (even though Modi is pushing every boundary)

I'm certain every system is corrupt in someway or the other, American systems are corrupt as well but efficiency seems to be super low in Pak Political Sphere, which wasn't the case before.

 

[Bewal Express]

Genie out of the bottle now.

The ruling thieves will have to face up to the wrath of the masses.

There will be no violence and nothing will happen. PKs aren't the revolutionary type and this is the reason why our elite will abuse and use us. We are a country with no future with or without IK. Its disheartening and depressing but its fact. When your own Army conspires with criminals, you don't have a hope in hell

 

[Sherazkhalid]

This guy needs to leave Pakistan ASAP and live his life with his kids, this country is beyond one man, people calling him chor are expecting the robbers to save Pakistan. He has done enough to show the real face of all these robbers. We deserve robbers and eventually a bankrupt and broken nation. Enjoy.

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Fake messiah exposed.

The most dishonest person and the biggest liar in Pakistan’s political history. A conman through and through.

This is a historic decision but it is just the beginning of the end. He will be finished off once the foreign funding case reaches its conclusion.

It is game over for Imran and his drama. He has lost in humiliation fashion.

And soon the country will be lost as well. Make sure you still show support to Nawaz and Zardaris.

 

[Mamoon]

This will further push Imran and PTI's narrative of being the one honest man against a whole group of proven corrupt jokers, at a time when Imran's popularity is peaking.

PDM have once again shot themselves in the foot.

Utopian delusions. )

 

[Mamoon]

And soon the country will be lost as well. Make sure you still show support to Nawaz and Zardaris.

The country was lost when the military brought this crazy man to power. Thankfully they have realized their mistake.

 

[Kriketer]

The country was lost when the military brought this crazy man to power. Thankfully they have realized their mistake.

Mammu ji why don't we get to hear your expert analysis on your chuur government ever? You don't make comment on the terrible twisted downfall they been taking the country through. You are always vocal in Imran threads but go missing in chuurs (PDM)?

I mean we know your obvious propaganda run, but just reminding once in a while kabhi chuur dakao ko bhi yaad kejeye zara

 

[wasim-fan]

Can anyone share some specifics on why IK is not guilty in this case ?

For the record, this is not a correct action by ECP. But then again this was also done against Bhutto and Nawaz when they were becoming too big for their shoes.

If IK survives this, and gets a ruling favourable in SC, IK will be next PM of Pakistan

 

[Kianig89]

More power to IK, bogus decision another failed attempt

 

[MenInG]

Can anyone share some specifics on why IK is not guilty in this case ?

For the record, this is not a correct action by ECP. But then again this was also done against Bhutto and Nawaz when they were becoming too big for their shoes.

If IK survives this, and gets a ruling favourable in SC, IK will be next PM of Pakistan

A slap on the wrist would have sufficed.

The decision to debar him based upon a few watches etc where Zardari and the likes are walking about laced in Billions of illegal money reeks of political vengeance.

 

[PakLFC]

We can not have a separate law for IK. He has to explain himself like anyone else after being given a chance. This rubbish of suffering from "amnesia" whenever questioned should never be accepted. He is still to answer over the lovechild he conceived with Sita White.

 

[daytrader]

A tough legal battle ahead

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is likely to face a tough legal battle following the disqualification of its chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan.

The party has announced its intention to challenge the disqualification before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), but Mr Khan has to face another trial before a sessions judge, as the ECP has forwarded a complaint against him for submitting false declarations about concealing the gifts.

According to a member of the party’s legal wing, since there were fears of such an adverse verdict from the ECP, a pre-emptive petition in this regard had already been drafted by the legal team, led by Senator Syed Ali Zafar.

However, PTI has yet to cross the initial threshold of legal scrutiny of the petition.

Absence of signed final copy of ECP verdict may delay filing of appeal; SC decision in Vawda case may yet swing the scales

Since there is an alternate remedy available, and the appropriate forum for filing of the petition against the ECP’s final verdict is the Supreme Court, therefore, this might be the first objection levelled on the plea.

Another hurdle in securing an immediate hearing would be the absence of the ECP’s written order, which is yet to be signed by all five members of the bench, as one of them was away due to illness.

PTI legal eagles’ basic objection on the ECP’s verdict is that — in their opinion — it was issued in haste and the commission did not wait for the ailing member of the bench to return. This technicality seems to hamper Imran Khan from challenging the verdict in a timely manner, since a proper appeal can only be filed upon the receipt of an attested copy of the judgement, duly signed by all the members.

However, the party’s main objection is that the ECP hearing was a corum non judice, meaning a legal proceeding that is outside the purview of a particular forum.

Advocate Faisal Hussain, a senior member of PTI’s legal team, told Dawn that the party planned to file a petition before IHC and won’t challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court since the ECP was not the relevant forum to order Imran Khan’s disqualification.

Read: ‘This is Pakistan’: Lawyers, journalists react to ECP’s ‘silly, ridiculous’ verdict against Imran Khan

“The verdict itself is weak and cannot sustain, since it is flawed,” he said, adding: “ECP violated its own laws… the question has arisen whether the verdict was issued with regard to NA-95 Mianwali or those constituencies where Mr Khan recently won in by-elections. What will be the fate of other seats? Can ECP, not being a court of law, override the verdicts of superior courts,” he asked.

The advocate said that the party would seek the high court’s ruling on all these issues.

The ECP has also sent a case against Mr Khan to the sessions judge for a summary trial over submission of a false statement and incorrect declaration. But Mr Hussain was of the view that ECP should have waited for the outcome of these proceedings before disqualifying Mr Khan.

As far as the ECP’s power to disqualify a lawmaker is concerned, the IHC has already upheld a verdict of the commission on the de-seating of Faisal Vawda, whose case is currently pending before the Supreme Court, while the ECP verdict remains intact.

Before the court, the emphasis of Vawda’s counsel was on the ECP’s jurisdiction to give a declaration in the context of articles 62 or 63 of the Constitution.

In response to this argument, the IHC held that the ECP’s verdict was justified.

The court’s order stated: “Commission has merely given effect to the declarations explicitly made by the august Supreme Court in the case of Habib Akram. The declaration to the extent of consequences as if the false affidavit was submitted before the august Supreme Court, can only be considered and acted upon by the apex court. The impugned order [of the ECP] has merely given effect to the consequences under the Constitution and law in the light of the declarations made by the august Supreme Court in the case of Habib Akram.”

But Advocate Hussain said that Vawda’s case is different from Mr Khan’s; ECP de-seated Vawda under Article 62(1)(f) and this constitutional provision relates to the qualifications of a lawmaker.

However, Mr Khan has been disqualified under Article 63(1)(p), which deals with the basis of disqualification of a parliamentarian.

The difference between the two is that Arti*cle 62, the ECP can disqualify someone for submitting a false declaration in their nomination papers, whereas, under Article 63, Mr Khan can be ousted for submitting a declaration after being elected a member of parliament.

A recent ruling by a two-member bench of the Supreme Court, reviewing the disqualification of Mohammad Salman Naeem, held that “Parliament did not confer any jurisdiction… on the commission [ECP] to consider the qualification or disqualification, under Article 62, 63 of the Constitution, of a candidate for election or a member of the legislature.”

According to Supreme Court advocate Kashif Ali Malik, this may be a case of first impressions for the superior judiciary to decide, as to whether the ECP was competent to issue a declaration disqualifying a sitting member of the parliament by exercising powers under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.

However, he said that ECP was competent to send a complaint to a sessions judge under Section 190(2) of the Elections Act for trial over alleged corrupt practices.

He said that Mr Khan had to face a trial for allegedly concealing the details of Tosha*khana gifts in the declaration he was required to submit before the ECP every year.

Regarding the applicability of the Supreme Court judgement in the Salman Naeem case on Mr Khan’s disqualification, Mr Malik said that it may be linked with the fate of appeal of Vawda which is still pending before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

I think they missed out on the required outcome from yesterday - provoke PTI into violent confrontation. Now they are out of moves - Imran Khan has the next move and hopefully a decisive one Insha'Allah.

 

[daytrader]

ISLAMABAD: Several members of the local leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were booked in a terrorism case over alleged vandalism during the protests in Islamabad after ECP disqualified Imran Khan in Toshakhana reference, ARY News reported.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p).

A terror case was registered on the state’s behalf at I-9 Police Station against PTI leaders including Amir Kayani, Qayyum Abbasi, Senator Faisal Javed, Raja Rashid Hafiz, Umar Tanveer Butt, Rashid Naseem Abbasi and Raja Majid were booked under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

 

[daytrader]

Imran Khan files plea in IHC to declare disqualification null and void
On behalf of Imran Khan, Barrister Ali Zafar files plea in IHC, requesting to annul decision of ECP in Toshakhana case

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has approached the Islamabad High Court against the Election Commission of Pakistan's decision to disqualify him in the Toshakhana case.

On behalf of Imran Khan, Barrister Ali Zafar filed a petition in the IHC in which it has been requested to annul the decision of the ECP.

ECP decision being changed at govt's will: Fawad
Meanwhile, speaking to the media in Islamabad, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry questioned why the ECO decision on Imran's disqualification had not been issued yet, saying the decision is being changed to include things of the government's will.

Chaudhry said that the era of taking decisions in closed rooms has passed. "The most popular leader of the country was disqualified, on which the people expressed their love for Imran Khan," he said.

He highlighted that the PTI made no appeal and yet people from across the country took to the streets.

The purpose of removing a national leader from the political stream is to weaken Pakistan, he said, adding that the people of the country rejected the decision of the chief election commissioner.

What went down yesterday?
A day earlier, the ECP disqualified Khan in the Toshakhana reference, saying he had committed the offence of corrupt practices by making “false statements and submitting incorrect declaration”.

Soon after announcement of the ECP decision, roads in the federal capital became battlefields where the PTI protesters and police were seen attacking each other. The PTI supporters took to the streets and blocked the main entry and exit points in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad against the disqualification of Imran Khan by the ECP.

The PTI protesters blocked all roads with dividers and broke all handrails of Murree Road. The protesters completely locked down Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Police used teargas shelling to disperse the protesters while the PTI supporters pelted the police with stones. Several police officials and PTI supporters became unconscious due to the situation all around Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The PTI supporters blocked the Faizabad Interchange, Murree Road, GT Road at Rawat and T-Chowk points, Highway Road at Sohan point, Expressway Road at Bara Kahu point and Srinagar Highway.

Meanwhile, demonstrations broke out in other parts of the country as well. A large number of PTI workers and leaders gathered at the Insaf House, Karachi, and protested Imran’s disqualification.

However, earlier today, several members of the local leadership of the PTI were booked in a terror case over alleged vandalism during the protests in Islamabad over the party chairman, Imran Khan's, disqualification.

A terror case was registered on the state's behalf at I-9 Police Station. PTI leaders Amir Kayani, Qayyum Abbasi, Faisal Javed, Raja Rashid Hafiz, Umar Tanveer Butt, Rashid Naseem Abbasi and Raja Majid were booked in the case under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

The News PK

 

[Bewal Express]

The country was lost when the military brought this crazy man to power. Thankfully they have realized their mistake.

I see cowards like you have disappeared from the economic threads, and the all the threads where your thugs are beating and arresting children, or when you blatantly rig elections.

 

[Bewal Express]

Can anyone share some specifics on why IK is not guilty in this case ?

For the record, this is not a correct action by ECP. But then again this was also done against Bhutto and Nawaz when they were becoming too big for their shoes.

If IK survives this, and gets a ruling favourable in SC, IK will be next PM of Pakistan

All was declared and legal. What more do you need, Even Hamid Mir seemed downcast and declared the verdict as weak. The reality you have nothing and no judge with any respect will uphold this nonsense.

 

[Bewal Express]

To stop the appeal or at least proper appeal, the criminal front known as the ECP hasn't even signed( fully) the decision. Crooks playing games

 

[the Great Khan]

To stop the appeal or at least proper appeal, the criminal front known as the ECP hasn't even signed( fully) the decision. Crooks playing games

You are aware this so called disqualification only applies to the current assembly. Its a ploy to stop imran from c9ntesting bi elections. So that neutral baba and the chaleese choar can continue to send this country to hell.

I would just sit back and wait now. Don't get disheartened. Reality eventually catches up to countries and people.

I'll give you an example. Nearly two years ago myself and my wife had to sit down and do sums because we thought we would lose everything including our house. But Allah swt is great and now we are secure..be patient..the ground realities are shifting by the minute.

 

[Bewal Express]

You are aware this so called disqualification only applies to the current assembly. Its a ploy to stop imran from c9ntesting bi elections. So that neutral baba and the chaleese choar can continue to send this country to hell.

I would just sit back and wait now. Don't get disheartened. Reality eventually catches up to countries and people.

I'll give you an example. Nearly two years ago myself and my wife had to sit down and do sums because we thought we would lose everything including our house. But Allah swt is great and now we are secure..be patient..the ground realities are shifting by the minute.

I am down heartened and despondent not because of this. This decision is weak and will be binned but because the damage these thugs have done not only to a fragile economy but to every institution they have laid their hands on. This damage can't be undone, that cancer will remain in those institutions and hence the disillusion.

 

[Varun]

Looks like Pakistanis like cricket more than we do. No matter what happens to Imran Khan life carries on as normal on the ground with only crickets (and tumbleweed) in action.

 

[greatest]

The crooks days are coming to an end. We as a nation should not loose hope. Imran has done his job, he has opened the eyes of the people and shown them the reality...Now, it's time for the Almighty to send his wrath.

"...and the (Divine) punishment came to them from whence they never perceived."

 

[MenInG]

The crooks days are coming to an end. We as a nation should not loose hope. Imran has done his job, he has opened the eyes of the people and shown them the reality...Now, it's time for the Almighty to send his wrath.

"...and the (Divine) punishment came to them from whence they never perceived."

Talking of which....

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday castigated PTI Chairman Imran Khan, calling him a “certified thief” after the latter’s disqualification in the Toshakhana reference for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

He expressed the views while addressing a news conference in Lahore alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and adviser Attaullah Tarar.

Commenting on Imran’s disqualification, PM Shehbaz said that his predecessor had been proven to be a “certified liar and a thief”. However, he cautioned that this was not a moment of happiness, but one of “reflection”.

He alleged that Imran came into power after the “worst rigging”, adding that the PTI chief auctioned off state gifts after claiming the proceeds would go to the treasury.


“The nation would have saluted you if you had deposited money from selling state gifts in the treasury. I would’ve too despite being your political opponent,” he said, adding that Imran had disrespected Pakistan.

Comparing himself to Imran, PM Shehbaz said that he had once received a letter from the Cabinet Division about being able to buy a state gift after paying a certain amount.

“I answered back to the letter saying, ‘No, thank you’ and deposited [the gift] in the Toshakhana.”

He said state gifts were now being displayed at the Prime Minister House to dispel the impression that they go missing. “Now, I have them [displayed] in PM House so the people know who sold the gifts and pocketed the money.”

PM Shehbaz said that disrespecting the country in this manner was a “very serious thing”. There is nothing worse than a prime minister selling state gifts without having them valued and pocketing the cash, he said.

He reiterated that the person accusing others of being a thief had been proven a “certified thief”.

The prime minister alleged that Imran’s Banigala residence was constructed in violation of rules and regulations, which the PTI chief later regularised. “But he then went to Raiwind to demolish my mother’s home. This is the [extent] of his revenge.”

The premier also took exception to PTI leaders’ assertion that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif had “written” the electoral watchdog’s verdict against Imran. By that argument, did Imran pen the decision which led to Nawaz’s disqualification, he questioned.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

PTI chief Imran Khan filed a plea in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday, challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to disqualify him over what the electoral watchdog cited as his failure to properly account for monetary proceeds from the sale of Toshakhana gifts while he was the prime minister.

The matter will be taken up by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on October 24 (Monday).

The Tosha*khana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.

According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

A reference alleging that Imran had not shared details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana and proceeds from their reported sales was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition in August, and the ECP concluded on Friday (yesterday) that the former premier had indeed made “false statement and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts — a ruling that prompted widespread protests by the PTI.

The watchdog’s order said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.

Today, Imran’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, filed on his behalf a writ petition in the IHC, praying that the order be declared “against the settled principles of law” on Article 63.

The plea further urged the court to declare the ECP’s order “misconceived” and set it aside.

Imran also sought a court declaration stating that the ECP lacked the jurisdiction to decide “any questions of ‘corrupt practices and disqualification’” under the Election Act and Election Rules, 2017.

Moreover, his plea read: “Declare that the [disqualification] reference itself is incompetent, illegal, unlawful and without lawful authority, mala fide and devoid of force and in the circumstances of the instant case, declare it null and void in the interest of justice.”

In the meanwhile, the plea added, the court may kindly suspend the operation of the ECP’s order and restrain further proceedings by the ECP or its behest till its disposal.

The ECP, the National Assembly (NA) speaker and NA secretary and multiple members of the lower house of parliament have been nominated as respondents in the plea.

Along with this plea, Barrister Zafar also submitted an application seeking the hearing of the case today. However, the court rejected his plea and scheduled the hearing for October 24.

Later, Barrister Zafar confirmed that the plea had been fixed for Monday and expressed the hope that the ECP’s decision would be overturned.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Mystery continues to surround the verdict announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday disqualifying Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for making false declarations.

Announcing the verdict in the absence of ECP member from Punjab, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja had called it a unanimous verdict. However, the full text of the 36-page order — an unsigned copy of which is available with Dawn — was not officially released till late evening on Saturday, raising questions whether it was really a unanimous decision and providing fodder to rumour mills to go into overdrive over the possibility of a dissenting note.

The ECP had on Friday issued just two pages of its order.

ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan, when contacted, rejected as baseless rumours of “some member being upset”.

Fawad questions delay in release of full text; ECP disowns detailed verdict circulating on social media

PTI’s Senior Vice President Chaudhry Fawad Hussain while talking to reporters outside the ECP secretariat wondered, “What the chief election commissioner (CEC) had read on Friday if there is no judgement to release despite the passage of over 24 hours”.

He pointed out that more than 24 hours had passed, yet the detailed order in the Toshakhana case was not being released though the PTI lawyers had applied for a copy on Friday evening.

He contended that if the order did not carry the signatures of all the ECP members, then there was a very clear law on the judgement, adding “if your members’ signatures were not on it, then it was not a judgement”.

He claimed that the CEC did the same while announcing its decision in the prohibited funding case. He alleged that additions had been made to the judgment after it had been uploaded on the ECP’s website.

He said any unconstitutional means used to remove Imran Khan from political arena would weaken the country. He contended that people had rejected the ECP’s order disqualifying Mr Khan.

The PTI leader alleged that with the connivance of some ministers, the ECP had selected constituencies for Oct 16 by-polls and yet the voters elected Imran Khan from majority of the constituencies.

“People gave their verdict in favour of Imran in Punjab by-elections as well. And, if there had been a bit of democracy, we would have moved towards general elections,” he noted.

Referring to the ECP’s verdict, he said an attempt was made to disqualify Imran Khan to align him with Nawaz Sharif but added that the rulers must have witnessed the rejection of the suspicious move as the masses held countrywide demonstrations against the decision.

Fawad Chaudhry claimed that changes were being made in the ECP verdict as things suiting to the government were being included in it.

“We are asked not to commit contempt and we don’t want to, but what should be done to such an election commission, when references are pending against chief election commissioner and two of its members and superior courts are not hearing them and we are asked to approach the same ECP for verdicts,” he said, adding sarcastically, “they can’t be garlanded [over their performance]”.

The PTI leader urged the chief justice of Pakistan to decide on these references.

“Either tell us that these could not be called references or convene the Supreme Judicial Council to decide these,” he remarked.

He pointed out that Toshakhana references against PPP leader Asif Zardari and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif were pending for the last 10 years.

People will be left with no other option but to come out and remove these rulers to save the Constitution, he said.

Fawad Chaudhry said the plan to exclude Imran Khan from parliamentary politics through any minus-one formula would not work.

Another senior PTI leader criticised the election watchdog.

“Why is ECP holding onto the verdict. What is cooking up,” party Secretary General Asad Umar tweeted.

ECP’s stance

ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan rejected as baseless the rumours of some member being upset. Answering a question, the official told Dawn that he cannot authenticate the order doing rounds on social media. He said it was a normal practice that a short order is announced first to be followed by a detailed order.

A source in the ECP said the member Punjab was fully on board and remained actively involved in the process till Thursday.

He said the member was suffering from dengue.

The source, however, agreed that his [Punjab member’s] signatures could have been obtained by sending someone to his place. He said it might be a delaying tactic as the decision could be challenged only after a copy is available.

In a related development, ECP spokesman Haroon Shinwari disowned the detailed verdict ran by some TV channels and circulating on social media, saying the ECP had nothing to do with it.

“The ECP has not released [the] judgement in Toshakhana reference and detailed verdict will be released soon,” leaving many to wonder as to who had prematurely leaked it to whom and giving rise to speculations where it had been authored.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2022

 

[MenInG]

At least seven cases have been registered against more than 1,900 suspects, including sen*ior leaders of the ******tan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), on various charges that also include terrorism, in connection with Saturday’s protests against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to disqualify former prime minister Imran Khan, Dawn has learnt.

Cases registered against the party leadership at the Secretariat, Industrial Area, Shahzad Town, Sihala, Sangjani, Khanna and Bhara Kahu police stations accuse them of blocking roads, attacking police personnel and destroying public and private property.

Former PM Imran Khan and a number of PTI leaders have been charged by Secretariat police under sections 109, 148, 149, 324 and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on the complaint of PML-N leader Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha. He claimed he was attacked at the behest of PTI leaders, adding that his vehicle was also damaged in the attack.

Industrial Area police have nominated seven people and named 1,200 other PTI activists, said to be armed with batons, under 7ATA along with other charges for pelting police and FC personnel with stones at Faizabad.

These people are also accused of trying to run police personnel over with their vehicles and setting trees on fire.

Similarly, Sangjani police have nominated six persons and named another 100 as being charged under 7ATA along with other sections of the PPC for blocking Srinagar Highway and attacking police personnel on the behest of Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Ali Nawaz Awan and others.

Meanwhile, the case at Shahzad Town police station nominated six people alongside 150 others for blocking Taramri chowck, armed with batons and iron rods and setting fire to tyres.

The case at Sihala police station has 11 people nominated along with 100 others for blocking the GT Road, while Khanna police have nominated 15 people in their FIR alongside 250 other activists for an armed gathering at Iqbal Town where they blocked the Islamabad Expressway and attacked the police party there.

The case at Bhara Kahu police station nominated 29 people along with 235 others for blocking Athal Chowk with an armed mob and threatening police personnel.

In addition, after a terrorism case was registered against PTI lawmaker Saleh Mohammad Khan Swati of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two of his personal guards at the Secretariat Police Station late on Friday night, Islamabad police later shared a photo of the MNA standing in front of a police panaflex with an identification board hanging around his neck, inscribed with the details of the case against him.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

The Punjab Assembly on Saturday passed with a majority vote a resolution amid strong protest by the opposition lawmakers, rejecting the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) verdict regarding the disqualification of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The resolution was tabled by former Punjab chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. As he started reading out the resolution, the opposition lawmakers, carrying anti-PTI play cards and blowing whistles, gathered in front of Speaker Sibtain Khan’s dice.

 

[MenInG]

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed on Monday that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had not been barred from contesting in future elections following the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict in the Toshakhana reference against him, adding that the former premier “won’t face any problems” to contest in the NA-45 (Kurram-I) by-election scheduled to be held on Oct 30.

His observation came during a hearing on Imran’s petition challenging the ECP decision to disqualify him over what the electoral watchdog said was his failure to properly account for monetary proceeds from the sale of Toshakhana gifts while he was the prime minister.

At the outset of the hearing, Imran’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, urged the court to start hearing the petition despite administrative objections by the registrar.

When Justice Minallah questioned what the hurry was, Zafar replied that his client had been disqualified ahead of the by-election in Kurram.

The IHC chief justice observed, “Imran Khan is not disqualified for that election.

“There should be one standard for all. There is no hurry in this case.”

The court would hear the petition once the objections were removed, the judge said.

When Zafar requested the court to issue a stay order on the verdict, Justice Minallah pointed out that the ECP’s detailed judgement was not available yet.

“Which verdict should the court stay?” he asked. “Imran does not want to return to the same seat he was disqualified from, does he?”

Zafar argued that the stay was needed because the PTI chairman was contesting the upcoming by-election. However, Justice Minallah said Imran would not face any problems in this regard.

When the counsel argued that the public would not understand the matter, Justice Minallah replied that it was not the court’s job to explain to the public.

“This has not happened previously. The court cannot set such an example,” the judge remarked.

Zafar then said the ECP’s decision was also unprecedented. However, the IHC chief justice observed that the court oftentimes issued a detailed judgement later.

The court expected a copy of the judgement to be released within three days, he said, adding that if it did not happen, then the court would look into the matter.

“The court issued directives to implement [its verdict] the same day in connection with a case related to inmates. The court should issue directives to submit the [ECP] verdict today in our case as well,” Zafar contended.

The judge noted that in the case Zafar referred to, the inmates were being tortured which was why urgent directives were needed.

The PTI counsel said the present case was related to a democratic problem and the ECP could “change the verdict”.

Justice Minallah, however, remained firm, observing that the court would have listened to the petition if there was any reason for hurry.

Zafar argued that the ECP had “changed its verdict” in the prohibited funding case against the PTI. “This case has become a black mark against Imran Khan. He does not want to contest the election with it.”

“Many [people] have been disqualified before this case. Did it affect their politics? This court does not issue directives to any constitutional body. We are giving a week’s time. If the verdict’s copy is not received, we will see [then],” Justice Minallah said.

“Wait for the [written] verdict. This is a routine matter. The Election Commission is not delaying it,” he observed.

Zafar then told the court that the ECP had also directed to initiate legal proceedings against Imran to which the judge replied that the sessions court would hear that matter.

Subsequently, the court directed the PTI counsel to remove the objections on the petition within three days.

Imran’s disqualification and plea
The Tosha*khana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.

According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

A reference alleging that Imran had not shared details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana and proceeds from their reported sales was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition in August, and the ECP concluded on Friday that the former premier had indeed made “false statement and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts — a ruling that prompted widespread protests by the PTI.

The watchdog’s order said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.

Subsequently, Zafar filed a writ petition in the IHC on Imran’s behalf, requesting the court to declare the order “against the settled principles of law” on Article 63.

The plea further urged the court to declare the ECP’s order “misconceived” and set it aside.

Imran also sought a court declaration stating that the ECP lacked the jurisdiction to decide “any questions of ‘corrupt practices and disqualification’” under the Election Act and Election Rules, 2017.

Kurram by-election
NA-45 was one of the four National Assembly constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where polling for by-elections was originally scheduled for Oct 16, but the ECP postponed it. It later issued a notification for holding the polls in the constituency on Oct 30.

Imran will contest for the NA-45 Kurram seat besides Jamil Khan of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Sher Mohammad Khan of Jamaat-i-Islami and several independent candidates.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

Commiserations to the IK hater brigade.

 

[saeedhk]

The ECP verdict was absolutely useless!

 

[Bewal Express]

So if I understand he has been disqualified but not disqualified. The pathetic state of PK ECP and its judiciary. Why didn't Minallah call the pathetic Sultan Raja and ask him, is it too much for the IHC to ask on what basis a decision has been made [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] where are you? Another runner

 

[saeedhk]

So if I understand he has been disqualified but not disqualified. The pathetic state of PK ECP and its judiciary. Why didn't Minallah call the pathetic Sultan Raja and ask him, is it too much for the IHC to ask on what basis a decision has been made [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] where are you? Another runner

He has been disqualified from his NA seat only, he can still hold public office. In fact, IK is contesting the election from Kurram this Sunday.

 

[Bewal Express]

He has been disqualified from his NA seat only, he can still hold public office. In fact, IK is contesting the election from Kurram this Sunday.

The ECP cannot be allowed to hold elections when it's members and in particular its chief has betrayed his oath and sided with criminals. The ECP isn't the B team of the mafia, its at the centre of the mafia

 

[MenInG]

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday notified the results of the by-polls held on October 16 on all seats except for the six NA seats won by former prime minister Imran Khan, who was disqualified in Toshakhana reference last week.

The by-elections were held on eight NA seats including seven abandoned by the PTI this April and three PA seats.

According to the list issued by the electoral body today, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, PML-N’s Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed has clinched the PP-139 seat from Sheikhupura, while PTI’s Muhammad Faisal Khan and Malik Muhammad Muzaffar Khan emerged victories in the constituencies PP-209 (Khanewal VII) and PP-241 (Bahawalnagar V), respectively.

Meanwhile, PPP’s Syed Ali Musa Gillani and Abdul Hakeem Baloch won from the NA-157 (Multan IV) and NA-237 (Malir II) constituencies.


Imran Khan de-notified as MNA
In another notification issued later in the day, the ECP de-notified PTI chief Imran Khan as MNA from constituency NA-95 of Mianwali I with “immediate effect” following his disqualification in the Toshakhana Reference.

The ECP on Friday disqualified the former premier in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p) for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”, triggering protests in various cities.

In today’s notification, it said that the decision on de-seating Imran was taken in terms of Article 63 of the Constitution. The law states: “A person shall be disqualified from being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), if he 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.”

The notification also stated that the decision was taken under articles 137 (Submission of statement of assets and liabilities), 167 (Corrupt practice), and 173 (Making or publishing a false statement or declaration) of the Elections Act 2017.

The electoral body’s decision hours after Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that Imran had not been barred from contesting in future elections following the verdict in the Toshakhana reference against him, adding that the former premier “won’t face any problems” to contest in the NA-45 (Kurram-I) by-election scheduled to be held on Oct 30.

NA-45 was one of the four NA constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where polling for by-elections was originally scheduled for Oct 16, but the ECP postponed it. It later issued a notification for holding the polls in the constituency on Oct 30.

Imran will contest for the NA-45 Kurram seat besides Jamil Khan of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Sher Mohammad Khan of Jamaat-i-Islami and several independent candidates.

 

[KingKhanWC]

IK is stopped by ECP all anti-Pak people doing bhangra.

Decision overruled , all gone back into hiberation.

I say it again, IK should go on holiday until elections. Waltz back in, become PM and then play fire with fire, forget justice, get all these arrested and hanged very quickly. Job done.

 

[daytrader]

ECP asks SC to set aside orders ‘favouring’ Imran

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) once again approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday, seeking to set aside different high courts’ orders in favour of PTI leaders, including Chairman Imran Khan, who had challenged contempt notices issued by the commission.

Moved through Advocate Sajeel Sheryar Swati, a set of six ECP petitions pleaded before the court that ever since the high courts granted interim relief to PTI leaders by allowing the ECP to continue hearing the matter but not pass any final order till the outcome of the petitions, PTI leaders were avoiding appearance before the ECP.

Besides, the high courts’ orders which restrained the ECP from taking adverse action against PTI leaders had effectively brought the commission at a standstill.

Earlier on Oct 13, the ECP had approached the Supreme Court seeking to consolidate and transfer all six challenges pending before different high courts to its contempt notice against PTI leaders instead of defending the commission’s stance for the issuance of the contempt charges against PTI leaders in different high courts.

The petition recalled that during Aug and Sept, 2022, the ECP had issued notices in exercise of its powers of contempt against Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Chaudhry Fawad Ahmed, Mian Shabbir Ismail, Danial Khalid Khokhar. Consequently, the ECP had asked the PTI leaders to appear in person or through their counsel before the commission to explain their positions.

Instead, the recipients, who were served notices for allegedly using ‘intemperate’ language against Chief Election Commissioner and ECP, challenged them before different high courts.

PTI leaders invoked the jurisdiction of different high courts including the Lahore High Court (LHC), Sindh High Court, Islamabad High Court and LHC-Rawalpindi Bench, to challenge the notices and contempt proceedings on the grounds that Section 10 of the Elections Act, 2017 —- the statutory provision regarding commission’s power to punish for contempt — was against the Constitution.

The PTI leaders had also sought relief in the cases from the high courts.

The petition also recalled that LHC’s single bench on Sept 7, 2022, also ordered constitution of a larger bench to hear the PTI petitions.

All the six petitions pertain to the same subject matter raising common questions of law i.e. challenges to the vires of Section 10 of the Election Act, 2017.

Now in the fresh set of petitions, the ECP argued that the high court orders were illegal and unlawful having effectively suspended Section 10 of the Elections Act, 2017, by restraining the ECP from taking ‘adverse action’ against the PTI leader.

The petitions contended that high courts’ orders did not explicitly suspend any provision of the Election Act and it did not change the fact that the order was illegal and unlawful.

By nullifying the powers of the ECP under section 10 of the Election Act, 2017, by virtue of the restraining order, the high courts have effectively granted a final relief to PTI leaders.

It is a settled law that no final relief can be granted at the interim stage when the court has not provided opportunity of hearing to all relevant parties to make their submissions and address the legal controversies.

The high courts’ orders have the effect of undermining the ECP’s authority and have effectively suspended section 10 of the election act not only with respect to the commission’s case, but any other person that commits contempt of the commission.

The grant of such injunctive relief is specifically barred by virtue of Article 199(4)(b) of the Constitution by the high courts, the petitions said.

DAWN