Following the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualifying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan for five years in its decision announced today, members of the party have been condemning the move, with party leader Asad Umar saying the decision will be challenged in court.
The verdict, which had been reserved a month ago, was announced by a five-member bench headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja. According to the unanimous decision, Khan has been disqualified for five years. Additionally, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran Khan for misdeclaration.
After the decision was announced, PTI leader Fawad Chauhdry urged PTI supporters to show up on the streets in protest, claiming that the decision was a 'slap on the face of the 220 million people of Pakistan'. "Just a week ago Imran Khan won 2/3 majority in the Punjab by-elections; who are you to make this decision?" he asked.
https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1583390592243240960
Responding to a question on Twitter, he also clarified that the disqualification does not apply to the 2023 General Election.
https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1583391232029790208
He also posted a picture of a smiling Imran Khan which he claimed was from a few moments ago, adding, "I congratulate the workers of Tehreek-e-Insaaf and the citizens of Pakistan as they are coming out and expressing their feelings all over the country without any call." He said that what was visible on Imran Khan's face was a trust in the people.
https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1583402396897914882
Meanwhile former planning minister Asad Umar said that all of PTI's lawyers are ready with petitions, and said that the decision will be challenged and the petition will be filed today in the Islamabad High Court. "Whoever is dreaming about a democratic system in Pakistan without Imran Khan, listen carefully: this will not happen," he said.
https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1583389439438782465
Other PTI leaders also took to Twitter to express their displeasure and condemnation for the ECP verdict. Former climate change minister Zartaj Gul said, "The goons masquerading as the Government have illegitimately conspired to try to bring down an absolute political colossus!," adding that the game was 'not over' yet.
https://twitter.com/zartajgulwazir/status/1583395169239343104
Leader of the Opposition Senator Shehzad Waseem said, "The entire nation rejects this political and biased decision of the Election Commission against the most popular leader of Pakistan."
https://twitter.com/dswpti/status/1583394833732730880
Hammad Azhar announced that the PTI will be protesting in Lahore, and said, "Lahore, there will be protests. Right this instance," listing down six locations where the protests will be held.
https://twitter.com/Hammad_Azhar/status/1583394630577815552
Pervez Khattak took to Twitter to say, "Toshakhana case against Imran Khan is absolutely baseless," urging people to 'watch out'.
https://twitter.com/PervezKhattakPK/status/1583355747403866113
Meanwhile Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan's 'first certified liar and thief' has been disqualified with 'irrefutable' evidence. "As big as the theft is, the punishment should not end only with disqualification," she added.
https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/1583387614409027584
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also tweeted about the development and said, "He who would spread lies about alleged corruption of his political opponents has been caught red handed."
https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1583392429738426368
PML-N leader Javed Latif also wrote on Twitter, "Certified thief".
https://twitter.com/Mian_JavedLatif/status/1583388216564285440
Meanwhile the official PML-N Twitter account took a jibe at PTI and simply said 'Jummah Mubarak' (Blessed Friday), while posting a screenshot of a news announcement about Imran Khan's disqualification.
https://twitter.com/pmln_org/status/1583388182103531520
The verdict, which had been reserved a month ago, was announced by a five-member bench headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja. According to the unanimous decision, Khan has been disqualified for five years. Additionally, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran Khan for misdeclaration.
After the decision was announced, PTI leader Fawad Chauhdry urged PTI supporters to show up on the streets in protest, claiming that the decision was a 'slap on the face of the 220 million people of Pakistan'. "Just a week ago Imran Khan won 2/3 majority in the Punjab by-elections; who are you to make this decision?" he asked.
https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1583390592243240960
Responding to a question on Twitter, he also clarified that the disqualification does not apply to the 2023 General Election.
https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1583391232029790208
He also posted a picture of a smiling Imran Khan which he claimed was from a few moments ago, adding, "I congratulate the workers of Tehreek-e-Insaaf and the citizens of Pakistan as they are coming out and expressing their feelings all over the country without any call." He said that what was visible on Imran Khan's face was a trust in the people.
https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1583402396897914882
Meanwhile former planning minister Asad Umar said that all of PTI's lawyers are ready with petitions, and said that the decision will be challenged and the petition will be filed today in the Islamabad High Court. "Whoever is dreaming about a democratic system in Pakistan without Imran Khan, listen carefully: this will not happen," he said.
https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1583389439438782465
Other PTI leaders also took to Twitter to express their displeasure and condemnation for the ECP verdict. Former climate change minister Zartaj Gul said, "The goons masquerading as the Government have illegitimately conspired to try to bring down an absolute political colossus!," adding that the game was 'not over' yet.
https://twitter.com/zartajgulwazir/status/1583395169239343104
Leader of the Opposition Senator Shehzad Waseem said, "The entire nation rejects this political and biased decision of the Election Commission against the most popular leader of Pakistan."
https://twitter.com/dswpti/status/1583394833732730880
Hammad Azhar announced that the PTI will be protesting in Lahore, and said, "Lahore, there will be protests. Right this instance," listing down six locations where the protests will be held.
https://twitter.com/Hammad_Azhar/status/1583394630577815552
Pervez Khattak took to Twitter to say, "Toshakhana case against Imran Khan is absolutely baseless," urging people to 'watch out'.
https://twitter.com/PervezKhattakPK/status/1583355747403866113
Meanwhile Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan's 'first certified liar and thief' has been disqualified with 'irrefutable' evidence. "As big as the theft is, the punishment should not end only with disqualification," she added.
https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/1583387614409027584
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also tweeted about the development and said, "He who would spread lies about alleged corruption of his political opponents has been caught red handed."
https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1583392429738426368
PML-N leader Javed Latif also wrote on Twitter, "Certified thief".
https://twitter.com/Mian_JavedLatif/status/1583388216564285440
Meanwhile the official PML-N Twitter account took a jibe at PTI and simply said 'Jummah Mubarak' (Blessed Friday), while posting a screenshot of a news announcement about Imran Khan's disqualification.
https://twitter.com/pmln_org/status/1583388182103531520