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Case pertains to allegations that Khan purchased presents given by international dignitaries from the state depository however didn’t disclose them earlier than the ballot panel.
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) get together over “false statements and incorrect declaration”.
The case pertains to allegations that Khan purchased presents given by international 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 gained 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 numerous circumstances, informed Al Jazeera the ECP is “merely a regulator of elections” and that it can’t cease an individual from holding get together 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 get together head”. Khan gained all of the seven seats.
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 Court docket 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) get together.
“The choice towards Sharif was given by the Supreme Court docket, 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 knowledgeable Abuzar Salman Niazi mentioned Khan’s case differs from Sharif’s.
“If ECP concludes that Khan can’t stay the get together head, it will likely be solely until the tip of the present time period of meeting, which is predicted to be accomplished by late subsequent 12 months,” Niazi mentioned.
“However since his disqualification was not relevant on the seats he gained in by-elections in October, he has a powerful case and good grounds to defend himself.”
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