ECP announces verdict in Imran Khan disqualification reference
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan got a big booster today when Election Commission of Pakistan announced the verdict in the reference against Imran Khan.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday dismissed two references against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and General Secretary Jehangir Tareen.
In its ruling, Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan said that the references are unmaintainable and doesn’t qualify for hearing.
PTI’s Naeem Ul Haq appreciated the ECP decision. Calling it the ‘victory of truth’, he urged the Speaker National Assembly to step down.
Tareen also reacted to the decision, calling it the ‘defeat of Panama stricken’ Sharif Family.
“Another defeat for the Panama Stricken Shahi Khandan as ECP disposes of frivolous petitions against Khan sb & me. Allah has been very kind,” he said on Twitter.
The reference against Imran Khan was filed by PML-N MNAs and forwarded by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The spear sought disqualification of PTI leader under Article 63 of the Constitution for making “misstatements” about his Bani Gala property.
According to the reference, Khan had declared that he had received the property as a gift, whereas he had actually purchased it from his ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith.
The reference against Tareen was filed to the Speaker by PML-N’s Daniyal Aziz, Talal Chaudhry and Maiza Hameed.
The reference alleged that during Pervez Musharaf’s regime, being a federal minister Tareen had received Rs101 million as loan from Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in the name of Tandlianwala Sugar Mills, which was latter written off in 2005.
“Jahangir Tareen concealed facts while submitting his nomination papers for general elections in 2013 and by-elections in 2015,” the reference stated.
The reference also claimed that the senior PTI leader also hid his assets.
Following the completion of arguments from both sides, the chief election commissioner had fixed March 16 for announcing the decision.
