The Islamabad High Court rejected Imran Khan’s request to suspend the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order in the Toshakhana reference.
On Friday, ECP disqualified former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference, stating he had committed corrupt practices by making “false statements and submitting incorrect declaration”.
Also Read : The Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case
After disqualification, The PTI chairman announced to approach Islamabad High Court, against the decision. However, the registrar had raised objections to the petition.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case today and at the outset of the hearing, asked about the objections to the petition.
He was informed by Imran Khan’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar that one objection was on the biometric verification and the other that a certified copy of the ECP’s decision was not attached to the plea.
On the second point, Zafar told the court that the ECP is yet to issue its detailed verdict, adding that they had only received two pages of the order.
“What is the rush in the case,” asked IHC Chief Justice at this point.
Lawyer Zafar told the court that his client has to contest elections in the coming days, adding that the ECP has also ordered that the PTI chief be prosecuted for corrupt practices.
“The Election Commission has also directed to send the matter for a trial,” said Zafar.
However, Justice Minallah observed that the commission has only directed that the complaint be sent for trial.
On this, Zafar told the court that disqualification was a “stigma” that may affect the coming elections.
“When there is no judgment than which order should the court suspend?” asked the judge. He also directed the counsel to address the objections raised by the registrar’s office.
“Disqualification will affect the people’s minds. The short order is attached [with the petition],” said Zafar.
At this, the IHC CJ asked Khan’s counsel whether he had a certified copy of the short order. But the court was told by the lawyer that they have applied for a certified copy.
“This disqualification is only as a member of the National Assembly,” observed the judge. However, Zafar contended that the people were not aware of this situation. He added that ECP uploaded its short order on the website but did not provide them with a certified copy.
“If you are not provided a copy within three days then we will hear the matter again,” said the judge. He also shared that his court at times would issue short orders and release a detailed verdict later.
“I expect you will get the certified copy in three days,” said the IHC Chief Justice.
The PTI chairman in his application named the ECP secretary, NA speaker, and secretary respondents on Saturday.
Khan was also seeking a hearing of the case the same day he filed but it was turned down by IHC.
The petition said that according to the office memorandum, gifts below the amount of Rs30,000 could be obtained without any payment, while gifts valued above Rs30,000 could be obtained on the payment of 50% of their amount.
Before the PTI government came to power, gifts of Rs30,000 could be obtained on the payment of 20% of their amount, while former prime minister Imran Khan got 14 gifts from 2018 to 2021 on payment of 20% and 50% of their amount.
According to the Election Act, the members of Parliament have to submit details of available assets by June 30 to the ECP, while in case they sell any asset before June 30, they don’t need to submit its details.
However, it is mandatory to submit details of assets sold out by them. The petitioner submitted details of his assets in value to the ECP every year.
Read More : Terror Case registered against PTI Leadership over Violent Protest
