The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will deliver a verdict today regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Chairman Imran Khan to withdraw his petition challenging his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference case.
On October 21, 2022, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Imran Khan under Article 63(1)(p), stating he made false statements and incorrect declarations. This led to Khan’s loss of membership in the National Assembly. Khan, contesting the ECP’s jurisdiction, challenged this disqualification in the IHC.
Besides the IHC petition, another legal challenge against Khan’s disqualification was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC). Khan’s later decision to withdraw the IHC petition, favouring the LHC to proceed with the case, led to complications.
IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq expressed displeasure over the non-disclosure of the second petition and suggested prioritizing the court where the appeal was first filed. Despite arguments from Khan’s counsel about a larger bench at the LHC handling the case, the IHC reserved its verdict on September 13, 2023.
The Toshakhana Reference Case
The Toshakhana reference, sent by then-Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to the ECP, involved allegations against Imran Khan for violating laws regarding the handling of state gifts. The reference pointed out 52 items Khan received and reportedly sold, including expensive watches.
PML-N’s Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, among others, argued that Khan’s failure to declare gifts from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince was equivalent to lying, warranting a lifetime disqualification from elections under various constitutional articles.
The legal instrument previously used to disqualify ex-PM Nawaz Sharif puts Khan’s political future at stake, depending on the IHC’s decision today.
The outcome of this hearing is critical not only for Imran Khan’s political career but also for the legal precedence it sets in Pakistani politics.
