The Election Commission in Pakistan has initiated the process to remove Imran Khan as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief.
Pakistan’s Election Commission on Tuesday initiated the process to remove Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan from the post following his disqualification in the Toshakhana case. A notice has been issued to the former prime minister.
Imran Khan was disqualified after being found guilty of buying gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch he had received as the premier at a discounted price from the state depository called Toshakhana and selling them for profit. He was disqualified for making “false statements and incorrect declaration.”
According to Pakistani law, overseas presents need to be deposited in the Toshakhana or treasury for valuation before allowing a recipient to keep it. Officials in the government are required to report any gifts they receive, but they have a threshold below which they don’t have to disclose the full value. Larger gifts are sent to Toshakhana, although the recipient may be able to buy them back at a discount of up to 50 per cent.
PTI officials said no law bars a convict from becoming an office-bearer of a political party.
In 2018, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, while hearing petitions against the Elections Act, ruled that a person disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution could not head a political party.
